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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 tells Bee that she took a long walk with the children and tired herself out?

2. Whose car broke down the night Danny killed himself?

3. Which member of the Bedloe family does not always look on the bright side of things?

4. Why can't Bee take care of Lucy's children?

5. What story does Agatha tell Thomas when he complains that his mother didn't read to him before bed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does "difficult ages" mean to Bee and why do they have their own table at family celebrations?

2. How do Ian's suspicions about Lucy's behavior influence Danny's death?

3. How did Danny and Lucy meet?

4. How does Doug get involved with the foreigners on Waverly Street?

5. Why does Agatha hide Lucy's important papers in the jewelry box?

6. What happens when Lucy calls Mr. Rumford's house?

7. Why does Thomas follow the rule of not eating sugar so that he will be considered a good Christian?

8. How does the Bedloe family react to Lucy when they first meet her?

9. Why is Lucy taking pills and sleeping all the time?

10. Why are all the kids at Camp Second Chance terrified of Sister Audrey?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does food play in the novel, especially as it relates to the Bedloe family holiday meals? Discuss how particular recipes are linked to family memories and why this is important.

Essay Topic 2

At the end of the novel, Ian has an epiphany as he carries his new son downstairs to his visitors. He says "People changed other people's lives every day of the year. There was no call to make such a fuss about it." Discuss the meaning of this quote as it relates to Ian's acceptance of his role in Danny's death. Why is he no longer making a "fuss" about it?

Essay Topic 3

Daphne calls Ian Saint Maybe and Mr. Cautious. Explain how you see the truth of these labels in Ian's actions and demeanor. Do you think he changes as the story unfolds? Describe one experience later in the novel where he is not a Saint Maybe.

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