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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. The Grogans had paid less for their farm animals than normal. Why?

2. As Marley aged, what part of the house gave him real problems?

3. What did John realize as he sat at the site of the 9/11 second anniversary?

4. Marley ended up at the vet while Jenny and the kids were in Boston. Something was wrong with his digestive system. What was wrong with it?

5. How did Marley react to traveling north?

Short Essay Questions

1. Marley recovered from his illness. How did John know that Marley was back to his old self?

2. What were four reasons the Grogans decided to move to Boca Raton?

3. What was Dog Beach and how did John find out about it?

4. What happened soon after John's visit to Shanksville that reinforced his conviction that Marley was living on "borrowed time"?

5. How did Marley behave on dog beach and what was the result?

6. How did Marley manage to get a part in a movie? How did John feel about that?

7. What happened when Jenny was allowed to get up after being in bed for twelve weeks during her pregnancy with Conor?

8. Soon after Marley filmed his part in the movie, the Grogans decided it was time to move. They chose Boca Raton as their new home. Why was this a little embarrassing for John?

9. Jenny started feeling labor pains at twenty-one weeks into her third pregnancy. What was the result of this for Jenny and for John, Patrick, and Marley?

10. What were the sequence of events behind John's getting an interview at Organic Gardening magazine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is "creative license"? When is it commonly used? When should it not be used? In what instances, giving examples, it is permissible to use in creative nonfiction? Cite three examples from Marley & Me where you believe creative license was used.

Essay Topic 2

Define "the writer's purpose" and give four examples of different genres of writing and explain the writer's purpose for each one. Apply the definition to Marley & Me and discuss John Grogan's purpose in writing the memoir and if you think he has succeeded, with examples to back up your assertion.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss your overall impression of Marley as a dog - was he good, bad, or average? Did his good qualities make up for his bad ones? Give examples of Marley's bad behavior and how you think the Grogans might have done things differently.

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