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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. Why does Dave end up taking Alafair with him?

2. Why does Dave decide to go to Montana?

3. Who welcomes Dave into his home?

4. What is Dixie Lee doing though it's early in the morning?

5. What does Dave do immediately upon his arrival in Montana?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Sally Dio like and what is his connection to Dixie Lee?

2. What is Darlene American Horse like and how does she seem to figure in to the storyline?

3. Why do you think Dave refuses to help his old friend, Dixie Lee?

4. What is Dave remembering at the end of this chapter and how might that memory influence him to some sort of action?

5. Describe and evaluate the character, Dixie Lee.

6. What evidence is there that Purcel is still on the wrong side of the law?

7. What horrific event has happened not to long ago to Dave and how is he handling it?

8. Who is Nygurski; why does he visit Dave, and what does Dave tell him?

9. Describe Cletus Purcel.

10. Why does it seem Dixie Lee is destined for jail and what does he decide to do about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dixie Lee is involved in a fatal accident while driving and drinking in which a child is killed. Discuss one of the following:

1. Do you think it is just to send Dixie Lee to prison for the reason stated above? What if it is the first DUI? The third?

2. Obviously Dixie Lee does not rehabilitate in prison as he is still drinking. Is prison a place for rehabilitation? If not, should it be? If so, how does it rehabilitate people? Explain fully with examples.

3. If a loved one (either friend, relative, or romantic partner) drinks and drives impaired and kills a child, would you fight to keep that person out of prison? Why or why not? Explain fully with examples.

Essay Topic 2

It is obvious Dave dearly loves Alafair, his daughter, but at times, he seems to make decisions that are perhaps not in her best interest. Discuss the following:

1. Dave goes to the Sheriff who cannot help Dave when Dave first receives the letter with the implied threat against Alafair. Because the Sheriff says he cannot help Dave, does this mean it's the wises thing to do to beat up these men when getting thrown in jail will perhaps leave Alafair vulnerable?

2. Is it wise for Dave to given in to Alafair's pleading and take her with him to Montana? Would it have been more harmful to be separated from her father when her mother's death is still not in the too-distant past?

3. Is there anything Dave could have/should have done differently concerning Alafair throughout the story?

Essay Topic 3

When Darlene dies of an apparent suicide, Dave believes it is murder. Dave goes to a priest to talk about Darlene and her death. Discuss the following:

1. How important do you think Dave's Catholic religion is to him? Do you think the priest helps Dave deal with Darlene's death?

2. Do you think Dave's religious beliefs have any bearing on how he conducts his life? Explain fully.

3. Dave appears to be raising Alafair as a Catholic, even sending her to Catholic schools? Do you think children should attend parochial schools? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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