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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 object is present in the framed photographs of Nana and Sebastian's house that Sebastian says no one ever notices unless he points it out?

2. Sebastian says that when he was young, Nana would tell him that they lived inside what kind of object?

3. What does Janice instruct the youth group members to write on their note cards that they will then burn?

4. In Buckminster Fuller's most famous quote about religion, what had he said about God?

5. According to Nana, the universe is sending a certain thing to people every day. What does she say the universe is sending?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nana say she discovers during a vision she has while Jared has been secretly visiting Jared for the first time?

2. What does Sebastian notice about Nana's clothing just before her stroke?

3. What does Sebastian reveal to the reader about crying during the scene when he is riding with Nana in the ambulance?

4. What is the first question Jared asks Sebastian after he is told that Sebastian may sound funny to others since he hardly ever leaves the dome?

5. What aspect of the distraction Jared decides to provide while Sebastian steals the bass is so cruel to Janice and why?

6. What is the significance of Sebastian's secret password for the computer in the dome?

7. What comments of Sebastian's upon his first visit to Jared's house infuriate Jared and cause him to lash out at Sebastian?

8. How do Nana's past predictions about Sebastian's path contrast with her pronouncements about him after her stroke?

9. What does Sebastian say he used to require from Nana in order to be able to fall asleep and what is its significance?

10. What element of the pictures he finds of Sid Vicious does Sebastian find inspirational and encouraging?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author's choice of punk rock as the defining motif of the novel. Why has he chosen punk out of all possible genres of music and how does this choice provide support for the novel's themes?

Essay Topic 2

Trace Sebastian's character arc from the beginning of the novel to the end. In what ways does he change, demonstrating the elements of a dynamic character and helping to reinforce the novel's major themes?

Essay Topic 3

Explicate the novel's theme of acting as a beacon of light for others in order to help them find their paths in life.

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This section contains 1,161 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample