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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. Mary Nell Fickett and Betsy Goodman compile a list of psychological conditions including paranoia, schizophrenia, split-personality, and paranoia. To whom do they think this list applies?

2. Which character begins the novel with a goal to be the first woman justice on the Supreme Court and ends the novel contemplating a career in psychology?

3. Lisa Shilling's conversation with her parents opens the novel. Lisa tries to tell her parents that she thinks she might be crazy because...

4. Mr. Bernstein refuses to talk to Mr. Shilling about Lisa Shilling's mental condition because...

5. When Betsy Goodman finds Mary Nell Fickett and Lisa Shilling in Mr. Milne's classroom, Lisa Shilling is hiding underneath Mr. Milne's desk and doing what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Lisa Shilling tell her parents that she thinks she is mentally ill in front of her friend Mary Nell Fickett?

2. What kind of a job does Rev. Fickett do as a church reverend?

3. Why is Betsy Goodman the youngest of the major protagonists?

4. Why does Elizabeth Frazer gradually become the de facto decision-maker of what is and is not good for Lisa Shilling?

5. What kind of a job does Mr. Goodman do as an insurance salesman?

6. Describe Lisa on a so-called bright day and contrast that description to Lisa on a so-called dark day.

7. Why does the narrator spend so much time establishing which protagonist is better looking, which is more intelligent, and which is from a wealthier family?

8. Why is chapter one presented in italic type face?

9. Describe the nature of the relationship between Brian Morris and Lisa Shilling in the early part of the novel.

10. In what is Mr. Shilling primarily interested?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the process of maturation demonstrated by the character of Mary Nell Fickett. How does she change and grow during the events of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

The narrator describes many traits of her friends in terms of movie stars or other famous people. In particular, Betsy likes Paul Newman and Cher. If you were revising the novel for today's teenagers, which celebrities would you select to replace Paul Newman, Cher, Joanna Woodward, Shirley MacLaine, and others? How would this process update your understanding of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

Imagine you are on a jury deciding the apportionment of 'blame' for Lisa's worsening condition. Which character of the novel would you select to receive the lion's share of the blame for Lisa spending many months with worsening symptoms without receiving adequate professional help. For this exercise, you may not select Mr. or Mrs. Shilling. Explain and defend your selection.

(see the answer keys)

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