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

2. How do Soula and Elliot act to Addie?

3. Who is Rick?

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

5. What does Addie wish her mom?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. Why does Denise begin yelling at Dwight when they are talking outside the trailer one day?

5. What does Addie say about six steps?

6. How does Denise feel about the trailer and why?

7. What does Addie do for Halloween?

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

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

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

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

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Waiting for Normal" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Waiting for Normal" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading this book? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Waiting for Normal" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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