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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. What do Helena and Addie get when they pass the firehouse?

2. Why is Addie disappointed when she gets home?

3. Why does Denise make fun of Addie?

4. What does Addie think her mother is doing as Addie opens her presents?

5. How does Denise react to the idea of Addie spending Thanksgiving weekend with Dwight?

Short Essay Questions

1. What makes Addie sad when she witnesses Dwight and Hannah putting the Littles to bed?

2. Describe the conversation between Addie and Ms. Rivera.

3. What does Addie's mommers say when she drives up and what is in the car?

4. What does Mommers say that completely dumbfounds Addie when Addie is talking to Mommers?

5. Describe Addie's Christmas with her mother.

6. What does Addie tell Mommers about the flute and how does Denise respond?

7. What conversation does Addie overhear the night before she is leaving and how does she feel?

8. How does Addie "check out" Hannah?

9. Who meets Addie at Lake George and why is it okay that her paper bag of clothes breaks?

10. What does Dwight do when he meets Addie after school on Valentine's Day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of "Waiting for Normal", Addie grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Waiting for Normal" might be considered a slice of Addie's larger story, of her "coming of age." It might be said that this novel is a "bildungsroman" of Addie Schmeeter. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Addie as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser young girl. What are the significant events that change Addie?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Addie's growth throughout Waiting for Normal, do you think "Waiting for Normal" could be considered Addie's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Waiting for Normal" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

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

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)

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