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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 is one thing that Addie gets for Christmas from her minimart friends?

2. What is in the package Soula gives Addie to open at home?

3. What does Denise give Addie permission to do?

4. What thrills Addie about what she hears Dwight say to Hannah?

5. What does Addie decide on the last night of her visit with Dwight and his family?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Addie compare herself to Brynna and what is Dwight's response?

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

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

5. How does Addie react when she finds Hannah making breakfast the next morning?

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

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

8. Describe Addie's Christmas with her mother.

9. What do Soula and Elliot give Addie for Christmas and what is Addie's response?

10. What does Grandio give Addie and how does she react?

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

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 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)

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