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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. Where does the book begin?

2. What is the first thing David does upon returning from Egypt?

3. What is the date of the second chapter "Fly Away?"

4. What excuse does David's mother come up with to cover up his injuries sustained from being pushed down the stairs?

5. What is the mission to Egypt nicknamed?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is David shocked by the one and only letter his father sends him?

2. Why does David not understand the reason for his mother's abuse?

3. What advice does David's father have for him as he gets ready to leave for the Air Force?

4. Why is David sweating while on the plane to San Antonio?

5. Why does David find out that his superior officers have been so hard on him?

6. David has the chance to leave for basic training in either one day or the following week. Why does David choose to leave in a week for basic training?

7. How does David's father "tell" him where the badge is?

8. What does David realize while looking in the mirror at his grandmother's about his grandmother?

9. What is the only way that David knows how to deal with his father's death?

10. Why does David's mother refuse to go see her husband in the hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

David searches for answers to his abuse throughout the novel. Discuss David's findings while addressing the following:

-Who tells David about his past?

-What person does David find out the most from?

-What conclusions does David come to about his past from the information he gets?

Essay Topic 2

Why do you believe David never gives up? There are very specific details in the novel as to why David continues to succeed. Choose one of the textual details and address why that detail allowed David to become the man he has.

Essay Topic 3

David dreams of the Russian River many times throughout the novel. Explain the importance of the Russian River to David. Why is the this place so important to him? Is it his memories or his planning for the future that fuel his love for the river?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 889 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample