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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 do Henry and Katie meet to talk about Bruce's condition?

2. Which of the following aspects of the country life amazes Henry in Chapter 4?

3. What title is Henry given as he begins playing baseball again?

4. Which day does Henry receive the phone call in Chapter 1?

5. Besides selling insurance and playing baseball, what does Henry do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are Henry and Bruce concerned about other members of the team knowing of Bruce's illness?

2. Which things does Henry discuss with Katie at the restaurant?

3. As explained by Henry, how does Bruce begin playing sports?

4. How does Henry convince Bruce that he is not dumb?

5. What side note does Henry make before leaving in Chapter 1?

6. How do Henry and Bruce respond to the contracts they receive in Chapter 4?

7. Where are Henry and Bruce going in Chapter 2, and what do they talk about on the trip?

8. What plans for the book does Henry discuss in Chapter 6?

9. How does Henry respond to the information that the doctors are telling him at the end of Chapter 1?

10. How did Bruce start playing for the Mammoths?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the reasons for why the popularity of Bang the Drum Slowly has been maintained for a number of decades, how the main themes of the book can be applied to people universally, and the effect that the book might have had on the game of baseball.

Essay Topic 2

In literature, actual events are sometimes referenced in order to make the story seem more realistic.

1) Explain three examples of real events that are mentioned in the book.

2) Describe how the technical side of baseball is included in the book, and how you think baseball fans and people who do not know as much about the game would respond to it.

3) Analyze the literary reasons for real events in a fictional story.

Essay Topic 3

Bang the Drum Slowly ends with Henry's decision to live life with new priorities.

1) Describe the changes that have taken place in Henry throughout the book.

2) Explain how Bruce has caused Henry to understand which things are really important in his life.

3) Analyze the new outlook that Henry has on life and the future.

(see the answer keys)

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