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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 happens when Addie walks out of school on Valentine's day?

2. Where is Hannah's home located?

3. What does Addie tell Dwight and Hannah is wrong when they ask her?

4. What does Addie decide after she and Hannah laugh together?

5. What does Addie find when she goes inside Grandio's house?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Hannah sum up her past to Addie?

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

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

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

6. About what does Addie reminisce when she arrives at Grandio's?

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

8. Why does Addie back out of playing at the concert?

9. What is the dress like that Mommers buys Addie for her recital 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

Addie is extremely responsible and grown up for her age; she will be entering the sixth grade in a couple of weeks. Mommers is portrayed as selfish and spoiled. She seems to feel Addie is ok taking care of the two of them, and she escapes her life's disappointments by getting online and smoking. It is clear that Addie misses the life she had with Dwight: being cared for, having family around and having security. However, Addie remains positive and doesn't seem to be too upset about the turns in her life. She seems to be used to them.

1. Discuss the ways in which Addie demonstrates her maturity for a sixth grader. Use examples from Waiting for Normal and your own life to support your answer.

2. Describe what you think is wrong with Denise including the problems you see with her role of mother to Addie. Use examples from "Waiting for Normal" and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think Addi is in denial and that is why she is able to stay positive about her life? Why or why not? Use examples from "Waiting for Normal" and your own life to support your answer.

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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