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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Although Elizabeth Frazer is beautiful and "[b]oys thought she was sensational" (p. 97) she does not seem to have any friends or boyfriends. The narrator states this is because Elizabeth has what quality?
(a) She extensively uses profanity.
(b) What seemed like coldness.
(c) She is constantly burping and farting.
(d) People believe her to be a drug user.

2. During one group therapy session Lisa Shilling teases Mary Nell Fickett by making up a recurring dream. What is the dream that Lisa makes up?
(a) She dreams of many snakes crawling into a hole.
(b) She dreams of Brian Morris dating Mary Nell.
(c) She dreams she was born in California.
(d) She dreams she's married to Paul Newman.

3. According to Mary Nell Fickett, why do teenagers like to drink coffee and smoke cigarettes?
(a) To show how old they are.
(b) Because they like to be addicted to things.
(c) Because there's nothing else to do.
(d) To make their parents worry.

4. Who does Lisa Shilling accuse of trying to steal Brian Morris away from her?
(a) Elizabeth Frazer.
(b) Tracy Shilling.
(c) Mary Nell Fickett.
(d) Betsy Goodman.

5. How extensive are Lisa Shilling's physical wounds after she walks through a floor-to-ceiling window?
(a) Her head and leg are cut but they are not severe wounds.
(b) Her wounds prove fatal.
(c) Her heavy winter coat protected her almost completely from any wounds.
(d) Her right hand is severed and she also has numerous minor wounds.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Elizabeth Frazer believe must happen before Mr. and Mrs. Shilling will obtain professional help for Lisa Shilling?

2. Mr. Shilling meets with Rev. Fickett, Mr. Milne, and his daughter, and rejects their claim that Lisa Shilling is suffering from mental illness. What does Mr. Shilling do after the meeting ends?

3. Betsy Goodman and Mary Nell Fickett try to diagnose Lisa Shilling by watching Elizabeth Taylor's performance in which movie?

4. When Mrs. Shilling arrived at the Goodman house just after Lisa Shilling's accident and saw a broken window, what was her first assumption?

5. Who emotionally begs Rev. Fickett and Mr. Milne to do more to convince Lisa Shilling's father that Lisa needs immediate mental health care?

Short Essay Questions

1. After Lisa assaults Elizabeth, she makes her close friends make her a particular promise. What is the promise, and why does she make them accept it?

2. What actions does Lisa Shilling take to attempt to convince her parents that she needs professional help?

3. Cover photographs aside, what narratives clues are there that identify the four protagonists as white?

4. Describe the typical group therapy session involving Lisa Shilling, Betsy Goodman, Mary Nell Fickett, and Elizabeth Frazer.

5. How might the narrative differ if the protagonists were male?

6. Betsy Goodman is watching a television program about a mentally ill (and committed) patient when Lisa Shilling arrives. Why does Lisa's appearance make Betsy uncomfortable?

7. Mary Nell Fickett and Betsy Goodman briefly consider inviting Lisa Shilling's younger sister Tracy to their group therapy sessions. They decide against it. Why do they decide against it?

8. Betsy Goodman believes at one point that she might gain valuable insight into Lisa Shilling's condition simply by watching an Elizabeth Taylor movie. Describe Betsy's reasoning and comment upon it.

9. After Lisa Shilling deliberately walks through a glass window she is hospitalized with fairly serious injuries. She remains in the hospital for at least a few days. Mary Nell Fickett assumes that this suicide attempt necessarily will involve social workers who will force Mr. and Mrs. Shilling to confront Lisa's mental illness. However, this does not occur. Why?

10. If you were in Lisa's situation, to whom would you turn for help?

(see the answer keys)

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