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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 baseball, which does Bruce like better, hitting or catching?

2. Why does Henry decide that he is finished teasing people?

3. How does Katie leave in Chapter 12?

4. What type of trick is one of the players doing at the party in Chapter 16?

5. Why does Katie say she wants to go to dinner with Henry privately in Chapter 12?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Mr. Rogers and which information does he have?

2. How does Dutch finally discover the truth about Bruce's condition in Chapter 14?

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

4. What influence does Red's coaching have on the team?

5. Why is Henry hesitant to change Bruce's insurance policy?

6. Where is Henry when he learns that Holly is having the baby, and how does it inspire him?

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

8. What causes Bruce to ask Henry to change his insurance policy?

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

10. Which reasons does Henry have for rejecting Katie's offer again, and what causes the detectives to visit Henry's room later at a celebration?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chronicle Bruce's life as it is outlined in the book, including the events he details and the change in perspective that he has because of his condition.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Some of the strongest elements of Bang the Drum Slowly are the inspiring effects of the story.

1) Explain why people would be inspired by reading the book.

2) Describe three events that are inspiring from the story.

3) Analyze the powerful effect that literature can have on the reader and which elements make a fictional work the most inspiring.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 853 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample