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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Rose Cappadora's attitude about Ben?

2. Vincent/Reese is a

3. Vincent has taken to sleeping

4. Beth slowly begins to

5. What important message does Tree give to Beth about her grief?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Beth agree with Laurie to undertake a photography job?

2. How does the reader come to know how bright Vincent is, even though he is an underachiever?

3. What does Vincent's father finally say to Beth about Ben's loss?

4. When Candy announces she will be married, what does Beth decide?

5. What is Beth's burning question for the group at Compassionate Circle?

6. Discuss the hotel's delicate treatment of Beth and Pat as they leave the Tremont Hotel. Is there layered meaning in their gestures? If so, describe them.

7. Why does Reese feel he cannot have a paper route?

8. There is gossip in the lobby about classmates who are showing up for the reunion. Why do you think these women need to analyze and critique their old friends?

9. There are many indications that Beth is not necessarily a mature woman, or the ideal partner to Pat. Examine these two chapters and analyze at least two instances that illustrate what you think the reader is learning about Beth Cappadora.

10. In what ways is Vincent being neglected as a child?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a life for Ben in the nine years he was missing from the Cappadora family. In a side-story, write about his childhood with George and Cecil, and what kind of child-rearing he may have been exposed to during that time, using what you know from his character after he reappeared to the Cappadoras.

Essay Topic 2

We live in a country that thrives on drama and fear. The media attention that was paid to Ben Cappadora's kidnapping is typical for this kind of crime, and often, the victims and even their perpetrators take on a sort of celebrity. Using the characters of Ben, the Cappadoras, George Karras and Cecil Lockhart, write an essay about how the media and press can affect the parties to a crime, both in positive and negative ways.

Essay Topic 3

Beth Cappadora probably could have used a course in child-raising. Write an essay entitled Raising Children 101, and define the basic behaviors and actions necessary to raise normal, healthy, strong and independent children who are good citizens and quality people. This is not easy, but try to narrow it down to the most basic needs of a healthy child.

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