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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 is the local wealthy developer that deeded the GR's compound to the organization in Mapleton?

2. What is the name of Martha Reeder's three-year-old granddaughter that disappeared on Sudden Departure day?

3. What are the names of Tom's housemates when Christine comes to him in Part One?

4. On what new political party's ticket did Kevin Gavin run for office?

5. Who is described as "Mapleton High's wandering troubadour" as he strums his acoustic guitar in the halls in Part One?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the act of smoking cigarettes signify in the novel?

2. What are Nora Durst’s objectives in attending the social mixer in Part Two? Does she achieve these objectives?

3. Who is Wayne Gilchrest? Why has he been arrested in Part One?

4. What does Reverend Matt Jamison represent symbolically in the narrative?

5. What game do Aimee and Jill play at Dmitri’s house in Part Two? What is the objective of the game?

6. How would you describe Jill’s relationship with her father in Part One?

7. Whom did Nora Durst lose on the day of the Sudden Departure? How has this affected her?

8. Where are Laurie’s and Meg’s lodgings in Part Two? How is this setting described?

9. What does the cartoon SpongeBob Squarepants symbolize for Nora Durst?

10. Who is Aimee? How did Aimee come to live in the Garvey home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of abandonment in The Leftovers. Who in the story has been abandoned, either wittingly or unwittingly following the Sudden Departure? How do each of these characters come to cope with abandonment? What symbolism supports this theme?

Essay Topic 2

How does Tom come to be Christine’s chaperone and caretaker? Where does Tom travel with Christine? Why? How do they disguise themselves during their travels? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the relationship of Kevin and Nora while in Florida and in Mapleton. Why does Nora act differently in Florida? Why is she unable to behave in the same manner in Mapleton? How does Kevin perceive these differences?

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This section contains 868 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample