View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How are Addie and her mother different?

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

3. What was Mommers going to make Addie for dinner?

4. How many steps are there to get to anywhere in the house?

5. Where does Addie discover a glass room?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What happens at Addie's tryout for the orchestra?

4. What are the two vocabulary words Addie is learning that day, and why is she learning them?

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

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

7. What does Addie do for Halloween?

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

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

10. What happens when Dwight brings the Littles to the trailer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Waiting for Normal" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Waiting for Normal" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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).

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes Waiting for Normal interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Addie. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Denise. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Dwight. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,229 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample