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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 does Cal tell Conrad about the fight he was in?

2. Who does Conrad get into a physical fight with?

3. What do Cal and Beth argue about while they are on their trip?

4. What injuries does Conrad inflict on his opponent when he gets in a fight?

5. What does Conrad get from Cal after they talk about the fight?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Beth do in chapter 23 to disturb Cal?

2. Why doesn't Beth say goodbye to Conrad when she leaves?

3. Describe the trip that Cal and Beth took to Spain.

4. In chapter 19, Cal realizes why he is so worried about Conrad. What does he realize?

5. How does Conrad prove that he is strong in chapter 24?

6. Why will Beth never forgive Conrad?

7. Describe Conrad's life at the end of the novel.

8. Describe the progression of Jeanine and Conrad's relationship to chapter 30.

9. Describe Conrad's first date with Jeanine.

10. How does Conrad feel after his date with Jeanine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the title "Ordinary People" relevant to the novel's content? Why do you think the novel is called "Ordinary People"?

Essay Topic 2

Who is the protagonist of the novel? Who is the antagonist? How do both the protagonist and antagonist of "Ordinary People" contribute to the novel's conflict?

Essay Topic 3

Cal and Conrad grow progressively closer throughout the novel. What are the steps in the development of their relationship? What is their relationship like at the end of the novel and why?

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