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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 22, Charlie learns that Earl claims __________set him up for his current conviction.

2. What makes Sarah think that Otis Timson might be in danger from Miles?

3. What was Sims' drink of choice?

4. Who is Bennie Wiggins?

5. In Chapter 18, why does the narrator say he failed to contact the police the day after Missy's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 20, where does Miles go after Charlie sends him home? What does he notice there?

2. Why does Miles not file a report on Sims Addison before his shift is over? How does Sims use this to his advantage?

3. How does Sarah react to the revelation that Brian killed Missy Ryan?

4. What does the unnamed narrator say he was doing the night of Missy's death?

5. How does Miles react when Sarah and Brian tell him the truth about the accident that killed Missy?

6. In Chapter 28, why does the unnamed narrator say he finally felt as though he could stop watching the Ryan home? Why is this?

7. What detail of Brian's story finally gets through to Miles and makes him realize that it was only an accident?

8. What does Charlie imply he knows about Brian Andrews? How does Miles respond?

9. Despite a reluctance to return to jail, what is Sims Addison doing in Chapter 17 when Miles pulls him over?

10. Who calls Charlie with information about Miles? What does Charlie do as a result of these phone calls?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following in an essay:

1) Setting: The small town setting and its impact on the characters.

2) Setting: The author's decision to set the novel in the 1980s rather than modern time.

3) Structure: The use of an unnamed narrator to preface the book.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following relationships in an essay:

1) Miles and Jonah.

2) Jonah and Sarah.

3) Sarah and her mother.

4) Miles and Charlie.

(see the answer keys)

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