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

2. What does Irene draw next to her signature in the Christmas card?

3. What lie does Sarah Jane tell Jeremy after they leave the scene of the car accident in Part Three, Chapter 1?

4. What game is Irene trying to teach Lisa at the start of Part Two, Chapter 2?

5. Whose life's background is the focus of Part Two, Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. The story shifts to the future as Jeremy works his new job and demolishes a shed. It ends by saying, "The shock of the impact, the satisfying crunch of boards cracking under hard steel, the muffled sounds of everything inside being quickly crumpled into unrecognizable pulp" (160). What does Jeremy's illustration say about his past experience in Lisa's shed? In what ways does the account provide further insight into Jeremy's development as a character?

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

4. 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.

5. Why does Jeremy relate a weekend in Vegas to what happens to him at Lisa house in Part Three, Chapter 4?

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

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

9. What are some of the first signs that Irene is taking her new church very seriously, and that it may be beginning to take over her life?

10. Upon Irene's first visit to Michael Christopher's church, what is his interpretation and the importance of the Bible verse from Luke?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Part Three, Chapter 1 catalogues Ezra's car accident near Collins near Lisa Sample's farmhouse. Sarah Jane reacts peculiarly when Jeremy recounts how he found Ezra's car crashed on the side of the road. Sarah Jane insists they return the site, but does not tell Jeremy why. Why does Sarah Jane want to go back to the scene? What does Sarah Jane immediately do when they arrive at the site? How does Sarah Jane's behavior reflect her relationship with Lisa and Sarah Jane's need to revisit the scene?

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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