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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. How many people are watching Henry's Tegwar game in Chapter 8?

2. How does Bruce respond to the team's decision to keep him?

3. Where is the hospital in which Bruce is staying?

4. Which of the following do Bruce and Henry start doing in Chapter 4?

5. How are Henry and Bruce separated during the tour while playing baseball?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which types of employment does Henry have as the story begins?

2. What caused Bruce to join and leave World War II?

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

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

5. How do Henry and Holly communicate while he is traveling with Bruce?

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

7. How does Henry respond to Dutch's further questioning on the train?

8. How is Bruce's condition causing him to think about things differently in Chapter 4?

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

10. Which activities is Henry doing while he waits for his contract negotiations in Chapter 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Loyalty is a main theme in Bang the Drum Slowly.

1) Explain why loyalty is a strong theme for fictional literature.

2) Describe three examples of how Henry's loyalty for Bruce is displayed in the book.

3) Analyze the importance of loyalty, how it is earned, and what it represents for people.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Henry and Katie, their intentions, the influence they both have on Bruce, and their opposition to each other in the book.

Essay Topic 3

Bruce's illness demonstrates how a crisis can often bring out the best in even the most unlikely characters.

1) Describe the reaction of the other players on the team to Bruce's illness.

2) Explain which characters change the most and why the change could be considered surprising.

3) Analyze how a tragic situation can bring out the best in people in life.

(see the answer keys)

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