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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. What was Johnny's song that was his only hit in the 1970s?

2. What did Johnny tell June during their first show together?

3. What prevented Johnny from committing suicide in the cave?

4. In what year did Johnny first meet the Carters?

5. What was the name of the camper Johnny used to get away sometimes?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Johnny's relationship with June's parents, Maybelle and Ezra.

2. Describe Johnny's feelings regarding a near-death experience in 1988.

3. What was Johnny's "Gospel Road" project?

4. What was the "Chicken in Black" and how did it fit into Johnny's failing record career?

5. What two Carter family buildings were located in Port Richey, Florida?

6. How did Johnny's friends try to intervene in his drug abuse and how did the death of Hopi Indian, Peter LaFarge, impact him?

7. What was Johnny's perspective on not being ready to retire even though he could afford to do so?

8. How long had the Carter family been playing together and what was their code about playing without the others?

9. What did Johnny do on stage during a concert he played with June Carter in 1961 and what was the state of their relationship after that?

10. Who did Johnny have an interview with prior to an important concert and how was his behavior impacted by drugs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in the book. Why would musicians have a lonely life even though it may have seemed exciting and glamorous to other people? Why would Vivian have had an especially lonely life being the wife of Johnny Cash? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

Essay Topic 2

Readers may find Johnny's use of humor a bit surprising due to Johnny's imposing physical demeanor. Describe Johnny's sense of humor and then cite at least two examples of humor used in the book.

Essay Topic 3

The theme of struggling with personal identity was an important one in this book. Describe how it extends through setting, character and issues and provide examples for each.

(see the answer keys)

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