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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. Why do some people think Deanna lets Tommy have sex with her?

2. Why does Lee say everyone has stuff they want to change?

3. Why does Deanna's father say he is having difficulty being compassionate with Deanna?

4. How does Deanna find the strength to reject Tommy's advances?

5. What is the name of the person Deanna's becomes involved with sexually?

Short Essay Questions

1. What comment about church has Deanna thinking about Lee?

2. How does Deanna feel about seeing Lee and Jason together?

3. How does Deanna respond to Lee's dilemma?

4. What happens with Deanna when she is thirteen?

5. What does Deanna write in her journal after Tommy invited her to do something with him?

6. What does Deanna and Lee do before Deanna has to work one evening?

7. How does Deanna describe Stacy?

8. How do Stacy and Jason react to Deanna's dream of moving out of home with Stacy and Darren?

9. Who is April and how do Darren and Stacy support her and where do Darren and Stacy live?

10. What argument does Deanna overhear?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in Story of a Girl. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in Story of a Girl. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of honesty in Story of a Girl. How has dishonesty hurt Deanna's life? What about other characters? How does honesty help Deanna's life? Has dishonesty played a part in Deanna's problems? How does dishonesty hurt Deanna and her father's relationship?

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes Story of a Girl interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Deanna. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Deanna's father. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Tommy. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Story of a Girl. Questions that Zarr most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Zarr' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Zarr' probable agenda concerning that idea.

3. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

4. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

5. Research the life of Zarr and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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