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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. Who has become Vincent's primary caregiver?

2. Beth's attitude toward her husband and children is

3. When Beth becomes overwrought with devastation over Ben, her response is to

4. What does her friend Laurie want Beth to do?

5. Vincent's academic abilities are

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Candy want to take Beth shopping?

2. Why does Beth scream? What causes her to respond this way to the events around her? Is she crazy?

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

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

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

6. What is the theme of the restaurant opened by Pat and his father in Chicago?

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

8. Describe in your own words the type of family the Cappadoras represent. Many aspects of their shared character have been illustrated; put into adjectives how you are seeing their family.

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

10. What makes Ben's disappearance an increasing nightmare for Beth Cappadora?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Write an essay that compares and contrasts the Cappadora family and the Kerry family. What traits do we see, and how have they affected the two generations that are the main characters in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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