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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. Who is the person that first hears Wallace stumble in order to think of a word?

2. Jen finds her town irritating because of all of the conflicting ____________ it has, but it's the only home she has right now.

3. What is Wallace having trouble doing after his surgery, as a result of swelling in his brain?

4. What was the background of the immigrants who built the castle in which Jen and her family used to live?

5. Jennifer's family lives in the state of ______________ in a castle that some immigrants built when they first came over to America.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jen think about her next door neighbors, as she is walking to work one day?

2. What is the first sign that there is something wrong with Wallace, according to the story?

3. What is the difference between regular funerals and the kinds of funerals which are given to those who have committed suicide?

4. How did Eric and Jen meet, according to the story that Jen tells in the book?

5. What does Sarah say is completely normal when the children walk into the hospital room?

6. Why does Wallace decide to make up a will before he goes into surgery?

7. What are the worries that Wallace has as he begins to undergo the process of removing the problem from his body?

8. What is the living situation of Jen at the beginning of the story and how did she come upon this arrangement?

9. What does the family do in the days leading up to Wallace's surgery, trying to forget about what's to happen?

10. Where are the children living at the beginning of the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jen is a character who could be described as being paranoid, even though she thinks everyone else is more so.

Part 1: Why do you think Jen is so paranoid in her life?

Part 2: Do you think there is value in Jen being paranoid?

Part 3: How do you think Jen's life might change if she were not paranoid?

Essay Topic 2

Randy presents his father with the dead heron, which he has now gotten stuffed.

Part 1: Why do you think Randy felt this was an appropriate present?

Part 2: What do you think the dead heron symbolizes for the family?

Part 3: Do you think that Wallace appreciates the gift?

Essay Topic 3

Megan's relationship to Honey seems to be a comfortable one, one in which they see each other and hope to see each other again soon, even though Honey knows she is old.

Part 1: Why do you think Megan goes to see Honey?

Part 2: Do you think that Honey likes Jen?

Part 3: How do you think Megan's visits with Honey are helpful to the both of them?

(see the answer keys)

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