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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. With whom does Shannon stay after she gets out of the hospital?

2. Whom does Brandy claim to be when trying to cross the border?

3. Why is Evie actually "Evie Cottrell, Inc?"

4. Who takes care of the grounds on Evie's property?

5. Why do Brandy, Shannon, and Manus frequent open houses?

Short Essay Questions

1. What philosophy does Brandy Alexander have that Shannon finds attractive?

2. What is Shannon's father's strategy for selling his pigs at market?

3. Why is Shannon upset that Evie borrowed her clothes?

4. When the realtor talks about Canadian currency, why does it give the group pause?

5. After arriving at the hospital, what surprises Shannon about the others in the waiting room?

6. Why do Evie and Shannon continually visit the department store?

7. Why does Evie live in a mansion in the suburbs?

8. Why does the narrator feel that she has no native tongue?

9. What is Brandy's final request to Shannon before she dies?

10. What article of clothing does Brandy suggest Shannon wear?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of an invisible monster is present throughout the novel. How does this idea apply to each of the main characters? What kind of invisible monsters are affecting their lives? In Shannon's case, how does feeling like an invisible monster hinder her? Does it help her? Why or why not? Be sure to use citations from the text to strengthen your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Do a character study of Evie Cottrell. What role does she play in the novel? How does her relationships with the other characters further the plot? How does her character contribute to the central themes of the novel? Is she a static character or does she undergo changes throughout the text? Explore Evie's idea of beautiful people together being less than the sum of their parts. How does this idea contribute to the novel? Is Shannon changed by this theory? Be sure to use examples from the text in your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

The novel makes use of different stereotypes are archetypes for some of the characters such as the model, the drag queen, and even the Texas oil princess. Choose three stereotypes and unpack their roles in the novel. To which characters do these stereotypes apply? Do they apply to multiple characters? How does the use of stereotypes contribute to the central theme of the novel? Do the stereotyped characters undergo any changes or are they static, remaining the same from start to finish?

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