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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. Who are the Littles?

2. What does Soula say is her relationship to Elliot?

3. What does Addie wish her mom?

4. How does Addie's mother feel when they arrive at their new home?

5. Why does Denise get in a fight with Dwight when he brings his daughters over?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Denise look when Addie returns home and what does Denise tell Addie?

2. What does Addie say about six steps?

3. Why does Helena have to see the school nurse?

4. How have things changed since Mommers begins to work for Pete?

5. What does Denise say about the new car she is driving?

6. What does Mommers say when she finally arrives home at 2 a.m.?

7. What does Addie notice about her surroundings in her new home?

8. What does Denise say to Addie as she prepares to take Piccolo over to the mini-mart, and what is the effect of Denise's question?

9. For what does Soula use the board in her store and why doesn't Addie read the things on the board?

10. Why isn't Addie afraid to be home alone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Leslie Connor.

2. What in Connor's background may have helped her in writing "Waiting for Normal"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Waiting for Normal". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Connor chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Connor chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Connor's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Connor use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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