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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. Where is Addie's bed in her new space?

2. Who has arranged for where Addie is living?

3. What does Denise say about Pete?

4. What is Elliot doing when Addie finds him?

5. For what reason is Helena told to talk to the school nurse?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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 does Addie do for Halloween?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,129 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample