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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. Vincent has taken to sleeping

2. How does Beth try to cope with her grief?

3. Ellen arranges a lunch meeting for herself, Nick and Beth at

4. What does Vincent seem to be most worried about?

5. In what way, if any, was the family meeting a success?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the FBI become involved in the case?

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

3. What conversation sets off Reese's heart palpitations while in Dr. Kilgore's office?

4. An example of how 12-year old Vincent is having to care for his sister is provided in this chapter. Describe it.

5. Where has Beth been spending time in Chicago, and why?

6. What gift does Vincent's grandfather give him as they discuss grief?

7. What precipitates Pat's episode with his heart that results in his being hospitalized?

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

9. 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.

10. Discuss the significance of the discovery of Ben's small shoe.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Pat Cappadora and Beth Kerry are both dyed-in-the-wool Catholics, although he is Italian and she is Irish. Research and compare the differences in Catholicism in the Irish culture as compared to the Italian culture. How are they different? How are they the same?

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 890 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample