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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Sonny feel sad after watching his first football game as an alumni?

2. Whose house does Sonny visit at the end of the book?

3. Where does Dwayne move to during the summer?

4. Who does Sonny lean on for emotional support after he feels lonely attending his first football game after graduating?

5. What does Sam die of?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sonny and his father have had some major losses in their lives including Sonny's mother. Due to the losses there is tension between these two characters throughout the story. Write an essay on the effects the losses have had on the two of them as individuals and on their relationship with each other. Which character do you think should be extending a branch to the other to help mend the relationship, and why?

Essay Topic 2

In the opening chapter of the book, Sam loses fifty dollars to Abilene on a bet that the Thalia football team will win. Why do you think Sam does this when the Thalia football team almost always loses? Why do you think he would risk losing fifty dollars instead of betting less?

Essay Topic 3

Everyone in Thalia knew that Sam was getting older. Why do you think it is such a shock to everyone in Thalia when Sam dies? How do you think Thalia is affected by the loss of Sam?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 271 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample