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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. When Sarah Jane asks Lisa where she got all the videos, what does Lisa say?

2. What is the last thing Steve wrote in his journal before taking it out and adding more now in Part Three, Chapter 4?

3. Why do the wives in Crescent trade Fridays off watching the children on Fridays?

4. What does Jeremy ask Sarah Jane for when he arrives at Lisa's farmhouse?

5. What is the name of the movie theater Lisa wants Irene to take her to while visited Omaha?

Short Essay Questions

1. How and why does Sarah Jane justify not providing Jeremy access to the phone at the farmhouse after Ezra's accident?

2. Upon Irene's first visit to Michael Christopher's church, what is his interpretation and the importance of the Bible verse from Luke?

3. How does Jeremy's lack of knowledge about Stephanie's apartment help him discover something critical about himself?

4. Using the quote, "...when she'd [Irene] gave no indication that anything unusual had happened or was about to happen or would continue happening without interruption in the days to follow" (127), what might the reader assume about Irene's disappearance?

5. Why is Sarah Jane truly concerned about Ezra's car accident?

6. Why does Jeremy relate a weekend in Vegas to what happens to him at Lisa house in Part Three, Chapter 4?

7. What are some of the first signs that Irene is taking her new church very seriously, and that it may be beginning to take over her life?

8. The story shifts to the future as Jeremy works his new job and demolishes a shed. It ends by saying, "The shock of the impact, the satisfying crunch of boards cracking under hard steel, the muffled sounds of everything inside being quickly crumpled into unrecognizable pulp" (160). What does Jeremy's illustration say about his past experience in Lisa's shed? In what ways does the account provide further insight into Jeremy's development as a character?

9. In what ways is Irene's new married life in Crescent different from when she lived in Tama? How does the move emotionally affect her?

10. How is Peter Sample's life described at the start of Part Two, Chapter 1? Do not use the exact information provided, but make inferences that can be drawn. Write in your own words.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

At the end of Part One, Chapter 9, Jeremy's father, Steve, asks Jeremy if it is okay that Steve is dating again. Jeremy responds that it is fine, because Linda, his mother, would want Steve to be happy. Then, Jeremy wrestles with his own relationship with his father and what Jeremy can do to make his father comfortable. How does Jeremy feel about living with his father? How do Jeremy's musings about this relationship reflect a greater theme in the novel that reflects the hesitant and uncertain nature of events and characters' decisions?

Essay Topic 3

Lisa Sample's mother, Irene, has doubts about moving to Crescent with her new husband, Peter, at the start of Part Two, Chapter 1. Irene has a difficult time living away from her parents and making friends in this foreign setting. How do you know that Irene is not happy with their move? Why does Irene feel so homesick? What changes take place in Crescent that substantiate her despair?

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