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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. How does Theresa feel when she reads the third message she acquired?

2. When Garrett puts a message in the bottle, how far does it travel from its original destination?

3. What do Theresa and Garrett agree to do after sailing for a while on their first date?

4. What surprises Theresa when she returns to the office the Monday following the publication of the message?

5. What sparks Theresa's curiosity during her research on messages in bottles?

Short Essay Questions

1. What advice does Jeb gave Garrett concerning his long grieving?

2. Where is Theresa at the start of the book, and why is she there?

3. Why was Theresa in Cape Cod during the summer prior to the beginning of the story?

4. Why does Deanna try to convince Theresa to find Garrett?

5. How do Garrett and Theresa spend lunch and the afternoon?

6. What is Theresa's plan when she arrives in Wilmington?

7. Which of Theresa's greatest fears does Garrett relieve in the restaurant?

8. What surprises await Theresa when she returns to work on Monday following the publication of the message?

9. How does Theresa find out about the third message?

10. What was Theresa excited about before she read the message in the bottle she first found on the beach?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Theresa's experience up until she meets and falls in love with Garrett. Discuss her desire to achieve balance in life, as well as her experience dating. How do her relationships with men, including David, affect her and develop her character traits simultaneously? Give textual support to strengthen your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

Why doesn't Theresa mention the letters when she first meets Garrett? Do you think their relationship could have evolved if she had? Do you think they would have moved as quickly? Support your discussion and opinions with quotes from the text and feel free to use secondary sources from well known critics.

Essay Topic 3

In "Message in a Bottle," the setting is used to add conflict in the relationship between Theresa and Garrett. Discuss the separation Theresa and Garrett face, as well as the impact on each character. How does having two settings create conflict? Provide examples and quotes from the story to support your discussion.

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