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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. Why does Jeremy have blood on his shirt when he arrives at Lisa's farmhouse at the start of Part Three?

2. How does Lisa react to her mother, Irene, leaving the family with no explanation?

3. What conflict does Peter have at the start of Part Two, Chapter 4?

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

5. Where does Jeremy tell his father Ezra was at after his car accident?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

5. 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?

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 Lisa initially respond to her mother's disappearance?

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

9. 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?

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

Jeremy's father, Steve, decides to write a new entry in his diary on Page 151. He writes, "Linda, I think Jeremy's hurt or in trouble and I don't know what to do...I can't lost Jeremy. Help me, Linda I don't know what to do" (151). The narrator notes that Steve writes "lost" instead of "lose." The characters in the novel all experience the feeling of being lost and not knowing what to do next. They also go through moments of loss and grief. Choose one character and clarify how the events and growth of their character are affected by being lost and also experiencing loss. How do these states of mind propel the character into new situations? How are the character's actions driven by these emotions/themes?

Essay Topic 2

Lisa Sample's mother, Irene, has doubts about moving to Crescent with her new husband, Peter, at the start of Part Two, Chapter 1. Irene has a difficult time living away from her parents and making friends in this foreign setting. How do you know that Irene is not happy with their move? Why does Irene feel so homesick? What changes take place in Crescent that substantiate her despair?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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