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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 did Robert Emmet Kelly get for Christmas, in Section 2?

2. What does Maddy make to go along with her and Arthur's first lunch together in Section 1?

3. What college does Maddy tell Arthur she is planning to attend after high school?

4. What does Arthur have for breakfast in Section 2?

5. What kind of cookies does Arthur share with Maddy in Section 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Arthur dream about in Section 2?

2. What does Arthur find on his porch in Section 2?

3. In Section 2, what does Lucille tell Frank about her impression of New York City?

4. How do Maddy and her father celebrate Maddy's birthday in Section 2?

5. Who is Anderson and what is the first impression the reader gets of him in Section One?

6. What does Arthur learn about Heidi Mueller when he passes her grave?

7. What makes Lucille angry at Arthur in Section 1?

8. What is happening "more and more often" (4) to Arthur in Section 1?

9. How does Lucille's new relationship with Frank, in Section 2, change her?

10. What happens the first time Maddy goes to Arthur's house in Section 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Arthur talks about his gardens and the importance of growing things. He even puts together a collection of children's stories about nature for the baby. How is nature a metaphor in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Consider the themes of loss and death in the novel. Select two characters and analyze how this theme impacts their development.

Essay Topic 3

How does Maddy change over the course of the novel? Who or what influences this change?

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