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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. What news does Carl tell Lillian and the twins in Chapter Six?

2. When Lillian teaches the twins basketball in Chapter Seven, how does she feel?

3. What is the name of the country doctor Lillian and the twins visit in Chapter Nine?

4. At the start of Chapter Nine, how does Lillian describe the next three weeks?

5. What secret does Bessie reveal about her mother's death in Chapter Six?

Short Essay Questions

1. What metabolic state does Dr. Cannon hypothesize is behind the twins' fire? What does he recommend?

2. What happens at the library in Chapter Eight?

3. What major news does Jasper receive at the end of Chapter Eight? What is the effect of this news?

4. What does Lillian think when the twins run away in Chapter Six?

5. What shocking information does Bessie reveal in Chapter Six?

6. What is Dr. Cannon's second hypothesis about the cause of the twins' fire? How does Lillian respond?

7. What does Lillian teach the children at the start of Chapter Seven? What is the result?

8. How do the twins respond to the press conference in Chapter Ten? What does Lillian do in response?

9. According to Madison in Chapter Nine, how will Jasper's promotion affect the twins?

10. What projects does Lillian plan for the children in Chapter Eight?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In what ways is the novel a celebration of being weird? Evaluate the role of weirdness in the novel, using textual evidence for support.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the time at Iron Mountain foreshadowed Madison’s adult character. What lessons did Lillian learn about her friend during their only year together in high school?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Lillian and Madison. How are they similar, and how are they different? Support your answers with examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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