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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. Mclean realizes that Deb is considered a/an ______________ by the other students.

2. What did Mclean and her mother buy when they went on beach vacations before the divorce?

3. Who is Opal's nemesis?

4. Why is David in jeopardy of losing his vacation trip with his friends?

5. Who is fighting any changes at the restaurant where Mr. Sweet is consulting?

Short Essay Questions

1. What changes does Mclean see in her mother when she spots her at the big game?

2. Explain the nature of Mclean's relationship with her father.

3. Who does the chaotic environment of the restaurant symbolize Mclean's life and which two people are calming influences for her?

4. Why is Mclean's mother upset when she phones Mclean at the beginning of Chapter 5?

5. What point of view is the book written in and what does that reveal about Mclean, the main character?

6. What does Mclean think about when she watches the stars from a party next door one night?

7. Why is Mclean reluctant to attend the big basketball game in town?

8. What examples do David and Mclean share with each other when discussing actions and consequences?

9. Why does Mclean prefer to leave a place without saying goodbye?

10. What perspective does David give to Mclean when she is upset with her mother and having to go to the basketball game?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Mclean's relationship with her mother. How does she feel about her even though she has made her life difficult at times? Is the relationship especially difficult because of Mclean's mother's infidelity and the subsequent divorce? How does Mclean's kindness and forgiveness help define their important bond?

Essay Topic 2

Sarah Dessen is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphor, and irony, and briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the significance of the book's title. What does the author mean by calling it simply WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE? What is she trying to emphasize with this emphatic style? Suggest three alternate titles for this book with supporting rationale for each.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,043 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample