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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 does Henry let off some steam while thinking about things after talking about Bruce with his father?

2. Which of the players are drinking during the party in Chapter 16?

3. Why is Henry's decision to chew tobacco with Bruce significant?

4. Where does Katie ask Henry to meet with her in another attempt to get the insurance policy changed?

5. How long has it been since Henry and Holly have been at Katie's house before Chapter 10?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the team doing with the new coaching and awareness of Bruce's condition?

2. Why is it particularly significant that Henry chews tobacco with Bruce?

3. What happens after a rained out game when Bruce goes to the hospital?

4. Why is Sid disappointed about the celebration from the night before in Chapter 16?

5. When does Bruce leave the team to go back home?

6. What does Dutch do when he finally discovers Bruce's condition in Chapter 14?

7. How does Henry respond to Katie's threat and offer in Chapter 12?

8. Why is the doctor delayed at getting to Bruce in Chapter 11, and how does Henry find out that Horse also knows about Bruce's condition?

9. Which actions does Dutch take in an attempt to fix some of the Mammoth's problems?

10. What happens when Katie takes Henry, Holly, and Bruce to dinner in Chapter 10?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze three examples of symbolism in Bang the Drum Slowly. Include a description of each symbol, how it appears in the book, and what it represents for the characters and/or the plot.

Essay Topic 2

Henry's opinion of Bruce changes after he discovers the seriousness of his illness.

1) Describe how Henry refers to Bruce before learning about his illness.

2) Explain the significance of Henry's reaction to the doctors when they inform him about Bruce's condition.

3) Analyze the change in the way Henry views Bruce after he understands the extent of the illness.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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