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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. When Laura writes that "temporary happiness is better than" (90) something on the way to the drug dealer's house, what does she say is worse than temporary happiness?

2. Where do Bobby and Laura go to celebrate New Year's Eve?

3. When Laura considers calling the police and having them wait at her house for BOB to show up, why does she decide against it?

4. When Laura speaks of herself in the third person one time within her diary and addresses her words to BOB, what does she write?

5. How long does Laura wait before she finds out whether Leo and Bobby are alive or dead inside the drug dealer's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Laura's relationship with Johnny?

2. What retort does BOB give to Laura's idea to call the police and tell them about the abuse BOB is inflicting on her?

3. What happens in the only dream Laura has about her dad?

4. How does Bobby end up shooting a man as Laura, Leo, and Bobby flee the gunfire at the drug dealer's house?

5. How is the theme of appearance versus reality evident in the scene in which Laura has just finished working on Donna's jacket and her mom comes into her room?

6. How does Laura feel after the party at which she won a sexual bet and hung around with people ten years older?

7. What action does Laura finally take when she is desperate to stop her cocaine withdrawals?

8. What offer does Laura make to BOB in an attempt to make him go away forever?

9. How does Laura feel about the way in which she escaped the dangerous situation after being kidnapped by three truckers on the highway?

10. What shocking act does Laura perform at the party to win a $100 bet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the theme of escapism demonstrated within the novel's narrative and what is the author communicating to the reader about this topic? Provide concrete details from the novel to support your claim.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the theme of appearance versus reality is demonstrated within the novel and state the message the author is sending about this topic. Back up your argumentative points with quotes from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

In what ways is humor shown to be an effective survival strategy within the novel? Prove your points with concrete examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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