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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. Who said the following? "Now she is aware of some of the losses you incur by being here -- the extraordinary rent you have to pay as long as you stay."

2. A man in his forties confessed to Viorst that he reviewed his life insurance policy after he was diagnosed with what?

3. What was the name of the married woman with four children, mentioned in Chapter 12, who formed a non-sexual friendship with another man?

4. The title of Chapter 12 lists what?

5. There are what number of friendships that Viorst labels in Chapter 12?

Short Essay Questions

1. Name the five stages of dying described by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Briefly describe each stage.

2. What is the fundamental tension in all man-woman marriages?

3. According to the book, why are friends so important?

4. According to Freud, is it unusual to have sexual feelings toward friends? How does this impact our friendships with the opposite sex?

5. How does baggage from childhood put pressure on a marriage?

6. What does Freud say about religious thoughts of an afterlife?

7. How did Viorst's three friends approach death differently?

8. What are a few of the difficulties of a marriage relationship mentioned in Chapter 13?

9. Viorst suggests two necessary losses in Chapter 14. Name one of them.

10. What does it mean if a child and mother aren't a good fit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the different times of life that are covered in the book. What is similar about them? What is different? What are some life lessons you can take away that may help you navigate the developmental stages you have yet to experience?

Essay Topic 2

Examining the many negative traits of marriage discussed in Chapter 13, arrive at a personal conclusion as to whether the marriage relationship is worth the effort or not. Support your stance with examples from the book and your real life experiences.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the process of us becoming our own person. How is our identity primarily formed? What pitfalls may we encounter along the way? How do our parents influence the process? Do they hinder or encourage the discovery of our primary self?

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