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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. Eli has told the police that Jo squealed on him because ______________________.

2. Which of the following does Jo NOT notice about her daughter?

3. When does the detective want Jo to return to the station?

4. What does Eli do when he sees Jo in the library?

5. What has cast doubt on Jo's credibility?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the setting in which Eli killed Dana.

2. What does Jo learn about the police's decision regarding Eli and why is she personally angry at what the detective insinuates?

3. How does the police detective respond when Jo tells him of Eli's murder confession?

4. Why does Daniel not respond the way Jo thinks he should when she tells him about reporting Eli to the Cambridge police?

5. Why do Jo and Eli meet, and what do each of them say about their respective marriages?

6. How does Jo not pick up on why Daniel is upset with her after she meets Eli?

7. How do Eli's and Jo's perceptions of life in the group home differ?

8. How has Jo's secret meeting with Eli damaged her relationship with Daniel?

9. How does Jo indicate by her actions in Boston what her intentions with Eli are?

10. What are Jo's thoughts as she drives to Cambridge to report Eli to the police?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the major settings for the novel. Why does Miller use those settings? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of the novel's title--WHILE I WAS GONE. Why did Miller choose this title? Is there an understood message in the title? Is there another title you can suggest that might be more appropriate?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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