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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 does Don ask his three children to do?

2. What has Eva had to do since Don's accident?

3. What does Don often criticize about Eva?

4. How is Don taken care of at home with Eva gone to work?

5. How did one of Nicole's classmates come in contact with Don?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who begins crying when Don is speaking at a church and why? What did she tell Don?

2. What two things does Don realize after sharing his story with others?

3. Where did Don go in Houston and what did he have to do to get a seat? Why?

4. Why does Don think he is able to help others in pain or recovery from injury?

5. What is one of the major changes Eva faces during Don's recovery? How does Don react to that change?

6. What are some of the obstacles Don faces in daily living because of his physical problems?

7. What does Don tell about waking up and having someone holding his hand and what does he find out about that?

8. How did his accident affect his mother and how does she help out?

9. What did Don do instead of watching more television and what was the end result?

10. What does Don think about his children through his ordeal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As Don struggles to process what has happened to him, various people point out that Don must open himself up if he is going to survive. Don must accept the help of others, learn to share his story and adjust to a new way of living his life.

1. Discuss why it might be necessary for Don to open himself up to survive. Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you think everyone needs to learn to accept help from others? Why or why not?

3. What are some of the ways you've seen in the book that Don is adjusting to a new way of life?

Essay Topic 2

At the opening to the story, we are immediately introduced to the main character, Don, and later his wife Eva. Choose one of the following questions and write a well-developed essay using specific examples and details:

1. Thoroughly describe and analyze Don and his role in the book--using examples from the entire book. How does he help drive the plot? Is he a likable character? Is there anything about him that is redeemable?

2. Thoroughly describe and analyze Eva and her role in the book--using examples from the entire book. How does she help drive the plot? Is she a likable character? What about her is not so likable?

3. Analyze the interactions between Don and Eva. Would you consider their marriage to be a good marriage? Who seems to be the stronger character, Don or Eva? Why? Is Eva's life affected as much by the accident as Don's? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Don continues to suffer from severe depression. He is battling anger, which is often unleashed on the medical staff.

1. Discuss why Don might take his anger out on the medical staff.

2. Discuss how you think you would feel in Don's position?

3. Why do you think the staff tolerates Don's anger and abuse?

(see the answer keys)

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