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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. Which famous writer does Mrs. Turton tell the class they each have 20 billion atoms from in their own bodies?

2. About how many hours a day does the long-distance swimmer who is also a jellyfish expert train?

3. What does Suzy's brother tell her about middle school in the chapter titled 150 Million Stings?

4. In the chapter titled A Click, Then Silence, who does Suzy work up the courage to call?

5. Which jellyfish expert does Suzy eventually settle on contacting in the chapter titled Crazy Brave?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aaron tell Suzy about middle school?

2. In the chapter titled Experts # 2 and 3, who does Suzy settle on as the expert she will contact for information about jellyfish and why?

3. What change in Suzy's behavior do her parents and teachers notice in the first few chapters of the book?

4. Why is Suzy upset to have to be lab partners with Justin Maloney?

5. What does Franny ask Suzy to do in the chapter titled How to Make a Promise?

6. Where and when does Suzy first meet Franny?

7. What kind of a relationship does Suzy have with her brother Aaron?

8. What is the event that Suzy begins referring to as "The Worst Thing"?

9. Where does Suzy's pattern of not talking begin, and who is she with when it starts?

10. In the chapter titled How to Have a Friend, what is Suzy known for by her parents?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the chapter titled Dumb Old Words, Suzy tells her father she is thinking about the Great Pacific Garbage Vortex when her father attempts to make light small-talk with her during one of their weekly dinners. Suzy realizes by her father's reaction to her that he does not really know how to respond to her choice of conversational topic. Write an essay analyzing how this incident fits into Suzy's larger problem of feeling as if she always says the wrong thing, citing specific examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing when, why, and how Suzy's perspective about Franny's death begins to undergo a significant shift. What are the factors that finally seem to start to change Suzy's mind about what might have happened to Franny?

Essay Topic 3

At different points in the novel, Suzy performs exhaustive research and discusses detailed facts about jellyfish. Write an essay analyzing which characteristics and traits about jellyfish seem to resonate the most deeply with Suzy, especially as they seem to contrast with or contradict human traits.

(see the answer keys)

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