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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. In Chapter 3, what assumptions did Sarah make about Miles that she found to be incorrect at their first meeting?

2. In Chapter 1, what does Miles realize he is tired of?

3. With whom does Sarah go shopping in Chapter 6?

4. Who is Mrs. Knowlson?

5. In Chapter 2, what does Sarah think New Bern is perfect for doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does the unnamed narrator say this story is about? Why does he preface this by telling the reader all about Missy Ryan?

2. In Chapter 1, what did Miles find in Jonah's backpack? What does Jonah have to say about it?

3. Why has Sarah Andrews moved to New Bern? Why did she choose an apartment in downtown New Bern despite the difficult parking situation?

4. In Chapter 13, what story does Miss Harkins tell Sarah and Miles?

5. Why does the unnamed narrator tell the reader he went to Missy's funeral?

6. In Chapter 2, for what reason does Sarah think that Jonah has become so far behind in his class work? What does she think of that?

7. In Chapter 9, Jonah is convinced Miles and Miss Andrews are going to get married because they are going on a date. How does Miles handle this situation?

8. What did Miles do the day Missy died rather than stay home and care for the lawn as she asked? What were the last words he said to her that day?

9. What are the two boys hunting in an abandoned house when Miles catches them in chapter 7? What does he do?

10. Why does Sarah tell Miles in Chapter 3 that she does not usually tutor students herself but will make an exception in this case?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Charlie take Miles' guns and his case file in Missy's death? What is Charlie afraid Miles will do? Does the reader think Miles is capable of such an act? Why does Miles later find a gun that he had hidden away? What does Miles plan to do with this gun? Would killing the person responsible really make things easier for Miles in regards to Missy's death? Would Missy have wanted him to do such a thing? What would happen to Jonah? Would Charlie be able to arrest Miles for such an act?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Miles arrest Otis Timson? Should Miles have arrested Otis on charges of killing Missy? Should Miles have handled the situation differently? Why did Miles hold a gun to Otis' head? What charges could Miles face for doing such a thing? Was Miles acting inappropriately? What does it say about Miles that he did not kill Otis when given the chance? Why did Miles not tell Charlie immediately what was going on? What might have happened differently if Miles had gone to Charlie first?

Essay Topic 3

Who is Missy Ryan? How did she die? What does the unnamed narrator say about Missy? Why does the unnamed narrator make it clear that this book is not about Missy? What was Miles and Missy's relationship like? How might their lives had played out if Missy had not been killed? What impact did Missy's death have on her son? What impact did it have on her husband? How did Missy's death impact the small town of New Bern? How do these changes play a role in this novel?

(see the answer keys)

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