Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Why does Susie say there is only one picture in which her mother was Abigail?

A) The photo was taken without Abigail’s permission.

B) The photo showed a side of Abigail that is not normally seen.

C) The photo revealed how sad and unhappy Abigail was with motherhood.

D) The photo expressed a joy that Abigail normally kept tucked away.

2. Why does Buckley keep Lindsey’s game piece on his dresser?

A) He wants to be the shoe game piece from now on.

B) He doesn’t want anyone else to use it.

C) He does not fully understand Susie’s death.

D) He wants to remember Susie.

3. How is the grief Susie feels over her own death similar to that of her family?

A) Each person’s grief is unique and dealt with independently.

B) Each person feels guilt about Susie’s death.

C) Each person deals with Susie’s death in an unhealthy way.

D) Each person depends on Grandma Lynn to see them through it.

4. Which of the following best describes how The Lovely Bones is unique?

A) It is told from the perspective of a dead person.

B) It has no mystery elements but is rather a depiction of grief and loss.

C) It tells the story of a family who fell apart rather than come together.

D) It is written in a time that few people know about.

5. What important role does photography play in the novel?

A) Abigail wants to be a wildlife photographer.

B) Photography serves as a symbol of hope.

C) Photography ultimately brings Susie’s parents together again.

D) Photography reveals what the characters should let go of.

6. What does the snow globe represent to Susie?

A) Her perfect world of happiness

B) An unchanging world of loneliness

C) The feeling of being trapped

D) The hopelessness of never escaping

7.  What does Susie describe as “beautiful lies”?

A) The lies her parents tell about being happy

B) The lies Harvey tells the police

C) The lies Buckley tells about seeing Susie

D) The lies her mother tells Jack about Fenerman

8. Even though Abigail sees her mother, Lynn, as embarrassing, what great contribution does she make to the family after Susie’s burial?

A) She helps Abigail clean the house.

B) She brings light into the house.

C) She takes care of Buckley.

D) She takes care of Jack.

9. What conclusion can be drawn about Susie’s statement that the most amazing thing Abigail did is leave the dishes in the sink?

A) Abigail cares deeply about being a mother.

B) Abigail feels it is her responsibility to keep the house tidy.

C) Abigail takes care of business first and has difficulty relaxing.

D) Abigail feels a responsibility to her family.

10. Why does Harvey commit his gruesome crimes?

A) To achieve a form of spiritual peace

B) To deal with the abuse of his parents

C) To victimize those weaker than him

D) To deal with his addiction

11. Which of the following is an example of the novel’s theme of Coming of Age and Sexuality?

A) Ruth and Ray kiss each other for the first time.

B) Lindsey grapples with the realization of what happened to Susie.

C) Susie experiences life vicariously through Lindsey.

D) Buckley begins to plant his own garden.

12. Susie compares Harvey’s trophies to the beads of a rosary. What is most likely the meaning of her comparison?

A) Harvey uses them to quiet his mind and feel love.

B) Harvey uses them to relive his murders and feel powerful.

C) Harvey uses them as protection from the police and to feel invincible.

D) Harvey uses them to worship his deeds and feel clever.

13. Why does Abigail run away from her family?

A) She blames Jack for tying her down.

B) She blames Fenerman for Susie’s unsolved murder.

C) She doesn’t want to live with her mom.

D) She cannot contend with the guilt she feels.

14. What are the lovely bones Susie sees at the novel’s conclusion?

A) The personalities that have blossomed because of her death.

B) The connections that have grown since her death.

C) Her family members who have gathered after her death.

D) The sorrow of her family and friends because of her death.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. Sebold devotes a portion of the novel to exploring George Harvey’s childhood and inner thoughts. Why does Harvey kill, and why did Sebold include this information?

2. Susie says she knows Lindsey has finally healed from her death when she neither runs toward nor away from Susie. What does Susie mean by this?