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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 insult does Robin hear Dylan say to Grace when she trips in the hallway?

2. What has the art teacher, Mr. Shultz, erased on the embarassing picture before Robin and Sophie get to class?

3. What do Sophie and Robin do when they are alone at her house after school?

4. What strategy do Robin and Sophie have to get home after school without being ridiculed?

5. What does Robin compare his relationship to Sophie to?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Robin say "I love having an artist for a girlfriend?"

2. Why does Robin believe that neither Rachel or Grace are behind the awful things that are written about Sophie in the girls' bathroom?

3. Why does Sophie find so much pleasure in playing the "Wack-A-Mole" game at the arcade?

4. Describe Robin Murphy's reputation at his high school when the book begins?

5. Why does Robin say that he feels like he has "won the lottery?"

6. Describe Sophie Stein's reputation at her high school when the book begins.

7. Why do you think that Robin uses humor with Sophie to deflect the tension after he is hit by a snowball?

8. What does Robin do when he sees Sophie walking towards the goal post on the day that he hears his classmates use the phrase "Don't be such a Stein?"

9. Why is Robin nervous before his first college art class?

10. Why does Robin decide to grow a beard?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Robin draws live nude models for the first time in his college art class. Describe his initial reaction to the nude model assignments. How does Robin mature as he continues forward, drawing the nude models? Do you think that Robin's initial reaction is typical of fourteen year old young men? Should he have been allowed to take the class, considering the subject matter? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The painting of two lovers by Renoir that hangs in the art museum is a favorite of both Robin and Sophie. They meet at the painting over Christmas break and it is the place where the book ends. How is the painting representative of the relationship between Robin and Sophie? Discuss important moments in the text when the painting appears and plays a role. Why was this particular painting chosen by the author?

Essay Topic 3

Characters like Zak and Dylan antagonize Robin and Sophie the most for their relationship and could be considered "bullies." Give three examples of how these boys taunt Sophie and Robin. How does the attitude of the other students change towards Zak and Dylan as the book progresses? Why does no one laugh at Zak when he makes a comment about Mr. Schultz's shirt in art class? Are Zak and Dylan jealous, threatened or just mean? Explain your answer.

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