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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. Where does Mike decide to go on a vacation?

2. Who telephones Mike at his cabin?

3. Bill tells Mike that he was at the cabin when Johanna received a shipment of _______________.

4. What is the name of the place the local people call a country club?

5. What word does Mike see spelled out with magnets on the refrigerator door?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what state of mind does Mike bring the Selectric typewriter to his office and what does he think is the reason?

2. What physical symptoms does Mike have during writer's block?

3. What does Mike find unusual about Mattie's statement about not calling again when he is working?

4. Where does Mike go on his first vacation without Jo and what realization does he come to there?

5. Why does Mike think that there must not be a connection between Mattie and Max Devore, a wealthy man in the area?

6. Why does Bill Dean advise Mike to stay away from Mattie?

7. When do Mike's nightmares begin?

8. Why is the completion of his novel a month after Johanna's death the event that drives home the fact that she will not be coming back?

9. How does Mike meet Mattie and Kyra Devore and why is the meeting emotionally difficult for him?

10. Does Mike's nightmare of arriving at Sara Laughs come true when Mike finally does arrive at the cottage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a brief character study of Mattie. What did she look like? What were her positive personality traits? What were her dreams and fears? What was most valuable to her in her world?

Essay Topic 2

BAG OF BONES is a classic example of a horror genre story. What does that classification entail? Why does this book fit into this category?

Essay Topic 3

The author used more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two examples about loss in the book and explain why the examples support the theme.

(see the answer keys)

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