View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Jeremy respond when his father says that he is dating again?

2. How old was Jeremy when his mother died?

3. Where does Jeremy meet Stephanie to discuss Sarah Jane's returned videos?

4. Why does Stephanie visit Video Hut a second time?

5. As stated in Part One, Chapter 12, what part/room at Lisa's house does Sarah Jane decide to reside in?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lisa Sample answer Sarah Jane's questions about the farmhouse and the woman in the snapshot? What does Sarah Jane think after she leaves the farmhouse?

2. When Sarah Jane drives to Video Hut from Collins, why does she want to arrive first?

3. What is puzzling about the fact that Jeremy's co-worker, Ezra, works at Video Hut?

4. How does Jeremy feel about holiday conversations as described in Part One, Chapter 2?

5. How do you know that Jeremy is curious about Sarah Jane and the videos? What conversation does he have with Stephanie to prove this?

6. What reasons does Jeremy have for driving home from work in the evening instead of letting his boss, Sarah Jane, close the store for him?

7. What is the overall theme of the Quote that precedes the novel?

8. Why does Sarah Jane go to the farmhouse in Collins after viewing the videos? How does Sarah Jane know how to locate the farmhouse?

9. Why does Sarah Jane lie to Jeremy about her trip to Collins?

10. What does Jeremy do after his father goes to sleep at the end of Part One, Chapter 4? Why does he do it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Part Three, Chapter 1 catalogues Ezra's car accident near Collins near Lisa Sample's farmhouse. Sarah Jane reacts peculiarly when Jeremy recounts how he found Ezra's car crashed on the side of the road. Sarah Jane insists they return the site, but does not tell Jeremy why. Why does Sarah Jane want to go back to the scene? What does Sarah Jane immediately do when they arrive at the site? How does Sarah Jane's behavior reflect her relationship with Lisa and Sarah Jane's need to revisit the scene?

Essay Topic 2

In Part Two, Chapter 4, the pastor, Michael Christopher dispenses a metaphorical association between the literal and figurative nature of a Bible verse. This incident happens upon Irene's first visit to this new church. Christopher states, "There's a reason why Luke wants us to see this worker in the field, why Matthew says you don't go back for your clothes. It's not just that God doesn't mind if you're dirty...The dirt's a sign" (116-117). How is "being dirty" a good thing for human nature? What does Christopher expect from his congregation according to this elucidation? How does the quote affect the growth and conclusion of Irene's character?

Essay Topic 3

The Quote that precedes the novel examines the theme of secrecy that evolves throughout the novel. It claims that there are "secret agents," who for varied reasons decide to keep or share secrets. Choose one character from the narrative who wrestles with secrecy and decide how their behaviors, thoughts, and ideas contribute to the theme of secrecy. How does secrecy relate to that character's development? Why is secrecy important to understanding the character?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,252 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample