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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 is the intruder's last name?

2. Why is Lizabeth depressed in Chapter 7?

3. Matt tells Billy that something destroyed the kitchen. What was it?

4. Lizabeth tells Matt that something is wrong with the bed. What is it?

5. What color is Lizabeth's car?

Short Essay Questions

1. On the way home from Richard Hastings' house, what does Lizabeth tell Matt that surprises him, and how does she go about telling him?

2. Elsie and the boys are shocked by the condition of the kitchen when they arrive home. What do they see, and what is Matt's explanation for its state?

3. Matt buys a new bed for Lizabeth, inciting another angry outburst from her. What does the new bed represent to Lizabeth?

4. How does the flasher make up for his actions after losing his temper at being ignored by Matt and Lizabeth? Describe his appearance when he makes arrangements.

5. After arguing the night before, Lizabeth finds herself alone in the morning and much of the rest of the day. What does Matt say that expresses the confusion he is feeling about their relationship when they finally do meet up?

6. In fairly typical romance-novel fashion, the story wraps up with Matt and Lizabeth marrying and living happily ever after. Given the short time they've known each other and the tumultuous relationship they have had up to that point, how believable do you find the story? If you find it quite believable, why? What is it about the genre that makes it so popular, and how does that apply to this book?

7. What are the preconceptions Lizabeth has about Matt as a role model for her children that give her pause? Why do you think she is so concerned with those preconceptions?

8. What does Lizabeth do to keep busy when she finds herself bored in her self-imposed prison, and what does Matt do when she does?

9. Lizabeth seems to have many preconceived notions about what a perfect father should be. In her mind, Matt falls short in several of these categories. What does she say in Chapter 7 that expresses these notions and where Matt falls short?

10. What does Matt do to distract Jason and Billy from their worries in Chapter 9?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Point of view can give important insight into a character. From what point of view is this novel written? Do you think that the story line would have been better served if written from a different point of view? If so, what point of view would you choose and why? If you find this point of view sufficient, how do you think it helps to develop the characters and the plot?

Essay Topic 2

One way to become familiar with the characters in a novel and their importance to the story line is to compare/contrast characters who have a fairly parallel position in the novel. Along these lines, compare/contrast Paul and Matt and each person's relationship with Lizabeth. Then, compare/contrast each person's relationship with Lizabeth's sons. Who makes more of an effort at being a father to Jason and Billy?

Essay Topic 3

True happiness seems to be the basis for most, if not all, romance novels. Both of the main characters are seeking true happiness by taking very different paths that somehow converge in the end. What path does Matt believe will lead to true happiness? Why do you think he believes this? What path does Lizabeth believe leads to true happiness? Why do you think that she believes this? At what point do their paths converge?

(see the answer keys)

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