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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. Who is at Jo's office when a dog is brought there?

2. Where does Licia sleep because she is afraid to sleep alone?

3. What does Jo buy on her lunch break?

4. In what state do Jo and her husband live?

5. Who was Jo's first husband?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the premise of WHILE I WAS GONE?

2. How well does Licia adapt to living in the group house?

3. Why does Licia seem to fit in so well with the group members who seem to have no real plans?

4. What does Dana's murder signify for the housemates?

5. What happens to the dynamics in the group house after Dana's death?

6. What do the police learn about each of the housemates that makes the police suspicious of them?

7. Who is Jean Bennett and in what circumstances does Jo meet her?

8. Which characters comprise Jo's family?

9. What are some of the events that the author covers during a flashback of Jo's life?

10. What does Dana think Licia might be when she catches Licia in lies?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Create a character study of Jo. What are her physical characteristics? What are her motivations? What are her fears? What are her dreams? What else can you say about Jo?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Describe the role of the family in WHILE I WAS GONE. What does it mean for each of the main characters? How does the family evolve in its support of each other?

(see the answer keys)

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