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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 month is it when the Kennedys and the Harralsons first meet?

2. What is the name of Pie's puppy?

3. What movie does the story of Buck and Anita's past remind Claire of?

4. What does Buddy tell Colquitt he's looking for when she sees him in his yard at night with a flashlight?

5. How many houses has Kim finished prior to the Harralson house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Walter say their yard looks like Disney World on the morning of Pie's party?

2. Why doesn't Colquitt think they will be punished if they end up burning the haunted house down?

3. Why do Colquitt's neighbors begin to jab at her and Walter about her relationship with Kim?

4. Why did Colquitt contact People magazine?

5. When Colquitt calls Anita to invite her for a dinner party, what reason does Anita give for taking so long to answer the phone, and what does Colquitt think is the real reason?

6. Why do the Sheehans move to the Kennedys' neighborhood?

7. Why does Colquitt tie a knot in the bed sheets?

8. Why doesn't Pie plan to show her father the house plans before the house is built?

9. What is unusual about the behavior of Razz and Foster when the Harralson house begins going up?

10. Why are Walter and Colquitt uncomfortable with the way Pie talks about Buddy's co-workers at the firm?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What point of view is the novel written in? What are the advantages of this point of view? What are the disadvantages? Is this an appropriate point of view for this novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

What does the house do to break the Sheehans? What does it take away from them? Who else is harmed in the process and how?

Essay Topic 3

Why do Walter and Colquitt decide not to tell anyone about their experiences in the house? What effect does this have on them? How does this decision serve to enhance the mystique of the house?

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This section contains 815 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample