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. Who does Dwight call when he learns that Denise was not around?

2. What is Soula doing when Addie finds her?

3. What does Denise do as she arrives at her new home?

4. What does Denise say is the reason she felt alright about disappearing?

5. What do Elliot, Soula and Addie agree that life would be empty without?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Addie do for Halloween?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,074 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample