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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 Dara find in the basement in Part III?

2. What does Bailey find in her cubby?

3. Who comes into Dara's house in Part III unannounced?

4. What color is Marie's new purchase in Part III?

5. What does Mrs. Bloom say when Dara confronts her about missing her bills and Nutcracker contribution?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Randi tell Dara she knows Derek, and why does she come to the studio?

2. Why does Dara tell Charlie in Part III that they have to fire Derek?

3. What does Marie tell Dara about their parents' death that surprises Dara?

4. What does Mrs. Bloom tell Dara about Derek's work in her house?

5. What helps Charlie the most with his pain?

6. In Part III, what does Derek start to suggest to Dara that enrages and scares Dara?

7. Why does Dara call Mrs. Bloom in Part III?

8. What did Dara and Marie used to look forward to at the end of The Nutcracker season with their mother?

9. What does Mrs. Bloom tell Dara about Derek and Marie that terrifies Dara?

10. What does Dara learn from the newspaper report of Derek's death that unsettles her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What tactics and techniques does Abbott use to establish and maintain suspense throughout this novel? Write a journal entry explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Why does Dara believe that she is the strongest of the three of them, herself, Charlie, and Marie, and in what ways does Dara assert her dominance between the three of them? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How and why do Dara, Charlie, and Marie decide to expand their dance studio instead of just repairing Studio B after the fire there? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

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This section contains 657 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample