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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. Over what do Addie and her mother laugh?

2. What does Addie's mother do on the internet?

3. About what smell does Denise complain when she gets home?

4. What has changed as far as money for Denise and Addie?

5. What does Addie remember about Grandio's friend?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is everyone happy for Addie and how does Denise suggest they celebrate?

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

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

4. Who does Addie meet at the mini-mart and what does the person tell Addie?

5. How does Addie learn about Soula's illness?

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

7. How does Addie learn that Soula and Elliot are not romantically involved?

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

9. What does Addie notice on the newspaper clipping board at the mini-mart one day?

10. Where is Addie moving, why and how does she feel about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in "Waiting for Normal"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in "Waiting for Normal" including why you believe it is foreshadowing. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "Waiting for Normal" and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Addie and Denise. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Hannah and Denise. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Waiting for Normal" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

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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