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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. Where has Kevin made reservations to take Nora for Valentine's Day in Part Four?

2. What is the name of the new vegan restaurant in Mapleton whose owner attends the city council meeting in Part Four?

3. Where does Kevin's sister live?

4. Where are Tom and Christine staying with the Falks in Part Four?

5. Where has Aimee taken a job in Part Four?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you compare Kevin Garvey to the other main characters in the novel?

2. How is Christmas morning described at the Garvey household in Part Three?

3. How does Gary respond to Meg’s visit on Christmas Day in Part Three?

4. What exchange takes place between Kevin and Laurie Garvey on Christmas Day?

5. What is the significance of the chapter title “A Better-than-Average Girlfriend”?

6. How does Christine perceive her unborn child in Part Three? What has led to this perception?

7. Where are Tom and Christine staying during her pregnancy in Part Four? How is this setting described?

8. What causes Kevin to break down crying during Valentine’s Day dinner? How does Nora respond?

9. How does the narrative perspective shift in Part Three?

10. What do Kevin and Jill discuss at Daisy’s Diner in Part Three?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss The Leftovers as a metaphor for our contemporary world. What event in recent history might be compared with the “Sudden Departure” in the novel? What statements do you think the author is making about our society and communities in the wake of loss?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the character of Kevin Garvey in the novel. How does Kevin stand apart from the other main characters in the story? How do Kevin’s experiences in the novel change him? What relationships does Kevin form?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of Wayne Gilchrest in the novel. Whom did Wayne lose in the Sudden Departure? What led Wayne to develop the Healing Hug Movement? What charges are brought against Holy Wayne? How does he respond to the charges?

(see the answer keys)

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