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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 tries to calm Norman Greene with a drink after he is covered in eggnog?

2. What does Colquitt tell Walter he can tell people if he doesn't want to be involved in warning people about the house?

3. What is Buck's given name?

4. Who does Claire call when she returns from the island to find the Sheehans gone?

5. What is Eloise desperate to talk to Colquitt about in the grocery store?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Colquitt and Walter decide to go to Ocho Rios for Christmas?

2. Why is Colquitt concerned about Claire's becoming friends with Susan?

3. Why is Colquitt amused by the brie that Eloise is carrying when she and Walter run into Eloise in the grocery store?

4. Why does Walter tell Lipschutz to "shove it" when the Kennedys approach him about the house?

5. Why does Norman throw his clothes out of the closet and on to the floor?

6. In Chapter 21, why does Walter lose a client?

7. Why does Colquitt call Anita's doctor after she sees Buck and Virginia on the couch?

8. What is the party that the Greenes throw for and what is it like?

9. What causes Colquitt to decide never to return to the ballet guild meetings?

10. Why does Colquitt go to the Sheehans' house on the day she witnesses Buck and Virginia making love?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Colquitt's theory about the house and how it affects each family that lives there.

Essay Topic 2

In the end, has the house affected Kim or has Kim affected the house? What is ironic about the conclusion of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

How does The House Next Door fit into the horror genre? What elements of a horror novel does it have? Is it a typical horror novel? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 786 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample