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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 does Jessica’s sign at the fundraiser say?

2. What is the reason Merryl says Gavin is dating Jessica?

3. What does Jessica start in Part V doing with her mom’s permission?

4. What does Fiona encourage Jessica to do the day after she meets with Hank in Part III?

5. What does the constant fanfare around the River Run do for Jessica?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jessica get her running leg?

2. Why does Jessica snap at Marla Sumner during an interview for another Channel 7 News segment?

3. What helps Jessica push through the full ten-mile River Run?

4. What does Jessica decide about herself when she completes the River Run?

5. What does Jessica say is the goal for taking Rosa on the River Run?

6. How does Kyro say Jessica can thank him for raising the money for her running leg?

7. Why is Jessica wary about wearing her track uniform to the fundraising event?

8. Why does Jessica start running with a wheelchair full of plant soil?

9. Why does Jessica’s mom urge her to call Gavin the morning after the fundraising event?

10. Why is Jessica mad at her dad for talking about their financial issues with the Channel 7 News crew?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing the novel’s theme of self-acceptance. Why is it difficult for Jessica to accept herself post-surgery, and how does she demonstrate improvement in this respect throughout the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining the significance of the running dream. What happens in the running dream, and how does its recurrence effect Jessica? How does the dream change throughout the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you analyze the various uses of symbolism the author uses in the novel, and explore how they strengthen the novel’s most prominent themes (such as perseverance or self-acceptance).

(see the answer keys)

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