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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 runs into Jessica while she is at the cemetery?

2. Why does Jessica grow suspicious about how Marla is going to spin the segment?

3. What does Jessica wear to the fundraising event?

4. What does Jessica conclude at the end of the River Run?

5. What does Jessica do in Part IV when she takes Sherlock for a walk for the first time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jessica’s mom urge her to call Gavin the morning after the fundraising event?

2. Why does Jessica feel guilty when he dad explains why he had to explain their personal business to Marla Sumner?

3. Why is Dad impressed when he drops Jessica off at the fundraising event?

4. How does Kyro say Jessica can thank him for raising the money for her running leg?

5. What helps Jessica push through the full ten-mile River Run?

6. Why does Jessica steer clear of Gavin the week after the article is published?

7. What does Merryl say to Jessica about Gavin that she finds very upsetting?

8. What does Vanessa do after she trips over a hurdle during her event?

9. What does Jessica realize when Vanessa asks why she is at the track meet in the first place?

10. How does Jessica get her running leg?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Running Dream is categorized as a piece of coming-of-age young adult fiction. Analyze how the author incorporates and develops coming-of-age narrative conventions throughout the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay exploring how Jessica’s perception of herself changes throughout the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay in which you examine Jessica’s decision to run with Rosa in the River Run. Describe what you believe are Jessica’s motivations for making this decision, and whether or not you think she achieved her prescribed goals.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 773 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample