View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Chip say Denise will find in his fridge?

2. Why is Caroline afraid to leave the house?

3. Who does Melissa call her best friends?

4. What newspaper does Chip throw in the trash can?

5. What city do Gitanas have to fly to before they get to Lithuania?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is a mixed grill important to Gary and his family?

2. Why is Gary so angry when he finishes talking on the phone to his father?

3. What kind of relationship does Chip think one should have with their parents?

4. Describe the argument Gary says could end their marriage?

5. How did Denise determine that she didn't become a squishy liberal?

6. Why does Alfred think the blacks will destroy America?

7. What is Chip thinking about as he waits for his parents at the airport?

8. What were the differences between Gary and Chip as boys?

9. Why is Caroline so alone?

10. Why does Julie dislike Chip's script?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the generation gap between younger and the older characters. What different experiences did both generations go through? What problems is the generation gap causing the relationships between the characters?

Essay Topic 2

Pick a character from the book and discuss his or her goals and motives. Do they achieve their motive? Do they share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do their goals clash with other characters? How do the characters goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss elements of the narrative structure; exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 817 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample