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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. Melody makes sure to say that she would never work for or be supported by ___________.

2. Melody's boyfriend tells her to not be any more ______________ "than you can help."

3. Who pays for the lunch that Melody and Jeff share in a nice restaurant in town?

4. Melody says that she left the Professor because she was unhappy and tired of _______________.

5. Jeff begins to read all that he can about _____________ in order to feel close to Melody.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jeff do with the money he saves up from his weekly allowance he receives from his father?

2. What does Jeff, a second grader, find when he arrives home from school one early March day?

3. What are Jeff's first reactions to his mother when he sees her arrive at the airport in Charleston?

4. What does Jeff see as he lingers a bit on more on the island before returning to Baltimore?

5. What does Melody's new boyfriend, Max, refuse to let Jeff do when he is staying with them?

6. What does Jeff do in order to feel healed and to feel at home once more?

7. What does Jeff do the first morning he is with his mom which ends up upsetting her?

8. What does Jeff do when he feels like crying in order to avoid making a scene with his father?

9. What does Jeff do when he goes to the island for one final time in Charleston?

10. What does Max tell Jeff about the relationship between Melody and the Professor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

No matter what happens with his mom, Jeff seems to still want a relationship with her. Even with unanswered letters, he continues to hold onto the picture of her he has in his head.

Part 1: Why do you think Jeff is so committed to being loyal to his mother?

Part 2: If you were Jeff, would you be so loyal? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think that Jeff should have given his mother another chance? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The introduction of Dicey seems to bring joy into Jeff's life, giving him a place to be comfortable and loved at the Tillerman home.

Part 1: Why do you think Dicey and Jeff get along so well?

Part 2: What do you think the relationship between Dicey and Jeff will turn out to be after the story ends? Why?

Part 3: Why does the Tillerman family take so well to Jeff?

Essay Topic 3

The complexity of the relationships in this story mirror so many other families in the world.

Part 1: Why do you think the adults in this story seem to have so many troubles with their relationships?

Part 2: Why do you think Jeff is put into the middle of the problems with his parents?

Part 3: Why do you think relationships are so difficult?

(see the answer keys)

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