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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. Dickie leaves Richard without _______________.

2. Richard recalls that there were ________________________ in leaving security behind.

3. In Chapter 38, Dickie tells Richard that Dickie has to make a decision about ___________________.

4. What is Richard's response when Dickie asks him to tell him something that he needs to know more than anything?

5. Richard encourages Dickie to pretend that there is a god who ________________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Richard tell Dickie about his religious beliefs after the death of his brother?

2. What does Richard now know that Bobby's death meant to him?

3. How does Richard view Dickie in Chapter 34 as opposed to seeing him as an imaginary friend in Chapter 33?

4. What advice does Richard give Dickie about handling life's challenges?

5. Explain some of the philosophies of life that Richard explains to Dickie such as space-time and the elements of the human experience.

6. What does Richard recall about his brother, Bobby's, death?

7. What name does Richard give for his religion when Dickie asks?

8. How does Richard mentally escape the charity ball in Chapter 20?

9. What is the basis of the conversation between Richard and Dickie regarding good and evil?

10. Why are Richard and Leslie at cross purposes regarding what to tell Dickie about love and marriage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the overall setting and time period for Richard's childhood What was America like during this time period? How important are the time period and setting to the attitudes and issues of Richard, Dickie, his family and friends?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of struggling with personal identity is an important one in this book. Describe how it extends through setting, characters and issues and provide examples for each.

Essay Topic 3

Richard was no stranger to hurt and pain. From what you know of Richard's life through this book, what were his biggest sorrows and worst betrayals? How did he manage through them? How did his coping skills evidence themselves in many aspects of his life? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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