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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 Dara's and Marie's mother always have on her big bed for the special nights she let them stay there?

2. What does Dara find in the basement in Part III?

3. Why does Chloe Lin tell Dara she was scared of Derek?

4. Where does Dara say Marie needs to come after Derek's death?

5. Why does Mrs. Bloom tell Dara she was lonely when she met Derek?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Charlie do once a month in an homage to Dara's mother?

2. Why does Dara call Mrs. Bloom in Part III?

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

4. How does Derek die in Part IV?

5. What do Benny and Gaspar tell Dara after Derek's death?

6. What do Dara, Charlie and Marie tell the police about Derek's death?

7. What did Dara and Marie used to look forward to at the end of The Nutcracker season with their mother?

8. What does Dara's mother tell Dara and Marie is an essential part of being a serious dancer?

9. What does Marie tell Dara about their parents' death that surprises Dara?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What tactics and techniques does Abbott use to establish and maintain suspense throughout this novel? Write a journal entry explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What terrible memories and truths does Marie finally force Dara to confront in the end of the novel, and how does the sisters' relationship change in the aftermath of these revelations? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Why is Dara so reluctant to touch Corbin Lesterio, or any of the older students at the ballet school? 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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