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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 decision does Henry make about Bruce's illness in Chapter 2?

2. How is Sid described?

3. Which of the following is the name of the insurance company that Henry sells insurance with?

4. What is it about Henry's story that Dutch discusses with him on the train?

5. How is the team doing as the season officially opens?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Henry respond to the information that the doctors are telling him at the end of Chapter 1?

2. What caused Bruce to join and leave World War II?

3. What clause does Henry insist be included in his contract?

4. What is Henry reminded of when Holly visits in Chapter 4?

5. Who is Katie and why does she call Henry?

6. Which activities is Henry doing while he waits for his contract negotiations in Chapter 5?

7. Where are Henry and Bruce going in Chapter 2, and what do they talk about on the trip?

8. Which things does Henry discuss with Katie at the restaurant?

9. What plans for the book does Henry discuss in Chapter 6?

10. What side note does Henry make before leaving in Chapter 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bruce's illness demonstrates how a crisis can often bring out the best in even the most unlikely characters.

1) Describe the reaction of the other players on the team to Bruce's illness.

2) Explain which characters change the most and why the change could be considered surprising.

3) Analyze how a tragic situation can bring out the best in people in life.

Essay Topic 2

In literature, actual events are sometimes referenced in order to make the story seem more realistic.

1) Explain three examples of real events that are mentioned in the book.

2) Describe how the technical side of baseball is included in the book, and how you think baseball fans and people who do not know as much about the game would respond to it.

3) Analyze the literary reasons for real events in a fictional story.

Essay Topic 3

The concept of time is a theme of the book that has the ability to connect with readers on multiple levels.

1) Describe three of the references to time in the book along with their context.

2) Explain how time is unintentionally taken for granted by some people.

3) Analyze the concept of time for Bruce and the characters around him.

(see the answer keys)

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