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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 does Steve add to his journal in Part Three, Chapter 3?

2. In what year does Peter propose to Irene?

3. What does Jeremy ask Sarah Jane for when he arrives at Lisa's farmhouse?

4. In Part Two, Chapter 1, what is the topic of the argument the Samples and Peter are having?

5. What does Irene give to the homeless man outside the Old Market in Part Two, Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lisa initially respond to her mother's disappearance?

2. How and why does Sarah Jane justify not providing Jeremy access to the phone at the farmhouse after Ezra's accident?

3. Irene places the tract given to her by pastor Michael Christopher in her pocket and then in the "anything drawer" at the house. Why does Irene's placement of the tract give it more meaning?

4. How does Jeremy's lack of knowledge about Stephanie's apartment help him discover something critical about himself?

5. How does Lisa explain her reasoning to Sarah Jane for taking the videos and adding the scenes into the movies?

6. In what ways is Irene's new married life in Crescent different from when she lived in Tama? How does the move emotionally affect her?

7. Why are Jeremy and Stephanie surprised to meet Lisa on her porch when they travel there in the middle of the night?

8. Using the quote, "...when she'd [Irene] gave no indication that anything unusual had happened or was about to happen or would continue happening without interruption in the days to follow" (127), what might the reader assume about Irene's disappearance?

9. How is Peter Sample's life described at the start of Part Two, Chapter 1? Do not use the exact information provided, but make inferences that can be drawn. Write in your own words.

10. Why is Sarah Jane truly concerned about Ezra's car accident?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The end of Part Three, Chapter 4 moves the story into the future, 16 months after Jeremy and Stephanie visited Lisa's farmhouse. The description of what took place is foggy at best, but major conclusions can be made about the plot. How does the author choose to chronicle the incident that takes place? What exactly happens to Jeremy and Stephanie and how do the previous chapters of the novel contribute to your understanding?

Essay Topic 2

In Part Two, Chapter 4, the pastor, Michael Christopher dispenses a metaphorical association between the literal and figurative nature of a Bible verse. This incident happens upon Irene's first visit to this new church. Christopher states, "There's a reason why Luke wants us to see this worker in the field, why Matthew says you don't go back for your clothes. It's not just that God doesn't mind if you're dirty...The dirt's a sign" (116-117). How is "being dirty" a good thing for human nature? What does Christopher expect from his congregation according to this elucidation? How does the quote affect the growth and conclusion of Irene's character?

Essay Topic 3

The Quote that precedes the novel examines the theme of secrecy that evolves throughout the novel. It claims that there are "secret agents," who for varied reasons decide to keep or share secrets. Choose one character from the narrative who wrestles with secrecy and decide how their behaviors, thoughts, and ideas contribute to the theme of secrecy. How does secrecy relate to that character's development? Why is secrecy important to understanding the character?

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