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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. In Chapter 6, what does Sam start to feel guilty about?

2. In Chapter 12, what does Matt seem to think is the real reason for Sam's breaking up with him?

3. In Chapter 16, who does Laci bring to Clara Loomis House to meet Sam?

4. In Chapter 5, what does Ally's college admissions essay turn into without her even realizing it?

5. In Chapter 3, what do Ally and Joe drink?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the most serious of Sam's "rage events"?

2. In Chapter 2, what does Sam do that even she knows crosses a line with Ally when Ally goes to the movies with her friends?

3. How does Sam fall back into the pattern of having sex with Matt again?

4. Why does Sam decide not to confront Ally at the fair?

5. What happens during Sam's last meeting with MH at the fair?

6. What does Sam realize about the effect of her own love for Ally on Sam's perception of Ally?

7. What are some of Ally's emerging doubts about Joe's work?

8. In Part III, why does Lily tell Sam she does not want to talk about details of her illness?

9. When does Sam feel an intense wave of loneliness in Part III?

10. What does Ally think about the likelihood of her father figuring out her affair?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do Sam's feelings and opinions about political activism, and about the activists she has met recently, including Laci and MH, change over the course of the novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing Spiotta's style and tone throughout this novel, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How does Sam attempt to explain some of the more controversial aspects of Clara Loomis's life to visitors to the Clara Loomis House? How does Sam seem to feel about these controversies herself? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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