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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 does Derek die?

2. What does Derek say about Corbin that turns Dara's stomach?

3. What makes Dara and Charlie stay in town after all, even though they were planning to leave at one point?

4. What does Derek tell Dara and Charlie about the flood in the studio?

5. What was Marie's favorite part of The Nutcracker book?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mrs. Bloom tell Dara about Derek's work in her house?

2. How does Dara react to Mrs. Bloom's story about Derek?

3. Why does Dara eventually realize her mother never cast herself or Marie as Clara in The Nutcracker?

4. What are some things the jealous students do to Bailey Bloom in Parts I - III?

5. How does Derek die in Part IV?

6. What does Corbin keep asking Dara to do that Dara refuses to do in class with him?

7. What does Dara learn from the newspaper report of Derek's death that unsettles her?

8. How does Randi tell Dara she knows Derek, and why does she come to the studio?

9. What helps Charlie the most with his pain?

10. In Part III, what does Derek start to suggest to Dara that enrages and scares Dara?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Dara's overriding impression and memory of hers and Marie's mother? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

One year after their house fire and Charlie's death, what does Dara's forging ahead with The Nutcracker performance mean for her own future and for the future of The Durant School of Dance? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How does Charlie explain his transgressions and mistakes to Dara just before his suicide, and how does Dara react to these explanations? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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