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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. How much can Susie communicate with her family back on Earth after she is murdered?

2. When Susie was still alive, why is Ruth Connors reprimanded for her drawings in art class?

3. What is Mr. Harvey's demeanor as he cleans himself up after the murder?

4. How difficult was it for Mr. Harvey to lure Susie to his secret room?

5. What does Jack try to use the board game for that the family plays at Christmas?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jack become suspicious of Mr. Harvey's involvement in Susie's death?

2. Why is the first picture Susie takes of her mother so memorable to Susie?

3. What is Susie referring to when she speaks of her "Evensong"?

4. What does Susie's heaven have?

5. How does Susie describe heaven?

6. How is the reader supposed to interpret Lindsey's reaction to seeing Mr. Harvey at Susie's memorial?

7. While visiting Jack in the hospital, what does Lindsey try to do to comfort him?

8. What advice did Mr. Harvey's father give to him about how to construct buildings?

9. Why does Nate have such a hard time believing Buckley when he says he sees his sister's ghost?

10. What treats do Susie and Holly find in their heavens?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ruana's introduction into the text is quite complicated; she is simultaneously beautiful while suggesting hideous things. Present an argument, using at least three examples from the text, that Ruana is either a good OR a bad character. Make sure to support your position with quotes.

Essay Topic 2

While the character of Mr. Harvey is quite complicated, Sebold lets the reader into his background, mindset, and psychology more than an average author might. Using what the reader knows about Mr. Harvey's dreams, discuss three aspects of his character that the reader may not otherwise have known about.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the unique role that Franny plays in the text. What are the benefits of having her within the novel? What are the challenges?

(see the answer keys)

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