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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. Where does Ingrid work?

2. What drug does Astrid obtain in exchange for oral sex?

3. Who does Astrid always sit with under the bleachers at school when she lives with Ed and Marvel?

4. What is Claire's occupation?

5. Where is the housing development that Ray works on when he takes Astrid there?

Short Essay Questions

1. What causes Astrid's relationship with Olivia to disintegrate?

2. Describe the relationship between Astrid and Ray.

3. Describe Olivia Johnstone.

4. Describe the Christmas that Astrid spends with Ed and Marvel.

5. What does Astrid think about when she is in the hospital after getting shot?

6. What drives Starr to begin drinking again after she has been sober for so long?

7. How is Astrid pushed into the shadows by Ingrid?

8. How does Astrid feel about her biological father? What does she know about him when she lives with Starr?

9. What advice does Olivia give Astrid?

10. How has Marvel's racism rubbed off on Astrid?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Helplessness is a theme in the novel. Which characters are helpless, other than Astrid? In what ways is Astrid helpless?

Essay Topic 2

What role does Ray play in Astrid's life? Does he manipulate her? Does he love her? Does he hurt her or help her?

Essay Topic 3

Astrid is surrounded by characters that influence her to be destructive even if they didn't intend on it, such as Ingrid and Conrad. Which characters have a positive influence on Astrid and try to encourage her not to be destructive? Use evidence from the novel to reinforce your argument.

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