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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 type of list does Ingrid send Astrid from prison while she's living with Starr?

2. Where did Starr and Ray meet?

3. Who calls the cops after Astrid gets shot?

4. Which word best describes Claire?

5. What does Ingrid want Astrid to send her when Astrid is still living with Starr?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do Astrid and Ingrid interact with one another in the beginning of the novel? Why?

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

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

5. Describe Olivia Johnstone.

6. Describe the relationship between Claire and Astrid.

7. What does Astrid learn by reading Ingrid's journals?

8. What advice does Olivia give Astrid?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the character names in the novel. Many of the women's names are unique in comparison to other contemporary names -- Astrid, Ingrid, Marvel. Also consider the men's names and that they are all fairly common -- Ed, Ray, Ron. Do you think there is a meaning behind this? Choose three characters to discuss in relation to their names. Do you think these characters have anything in common with their names? Why do you think they were given these names by the writer?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Ingrid. What do other characters say about her? Are these things true? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Irony is used throughout the novel and in Astrid's life. Find three specific examples of irony in the novel and explain what role this piece of irony plays in the novel.

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