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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 is Cody's nickname at school?

2. Why is there no one home at Dallas's house after the dance?

3. Why does Ben think his relationship with Dallas is getting complicated?

4. What does Lambeer say to Ben about Malcolm X's book?

5. Who is Marla Dawson?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Ben and Cody find when they get home, what does it tell them and what does their father say about the situation?

2. What does Hey-Soos say to Ben about Dallas's sharing, and why is Ben worried?

3. What does Ben want to do for his senior year, where does he live and how does he do in school?

4. What does the doctor tell Ben and what does the doctor do to be certain about his information?

5. Where does Ben go after he leaves Dallas's house and what is bothering him?

6. What does Ben say about having a terminal illness at such a young age?

7. What does Ben ask his father about his mother and what is his father's response?

8. What does Ben do after he leaves the doctor's office upon receiving the bad news and what does he say to the doctor when he returns to his office?

9. How does Lambeer find out what Ben is reading and what does he say about it?

10. What are Ben's two other main goals for his senior year besides his academic goal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Deadline". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Deadline". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "Deadline". Consider the deaths of Rudy and Ben and the death of Dallas' desires for her future with Ben.

Essay Topic 2

Ben absolutely refuses to get treatment, but he also shows that he can compromise. This is demonstrated by his accepting counseling with Marla in order to make the doctor happy. He jokes around with her, but also shows that he understands there is a bit of seriousness in his situation. His disease does affect him mentally, and he wakes up scared, but this doesn't hold him back or make him change his mind about treatment. It just makes him curious.

1. Discuss in depth why you think Ben refuses to get treatment for his disease, and whether you think it was a reasonable decision. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. What are the ways in which you think Ben will benefit from talking with a counselor? Do you think it was right of the doctor to ask it? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think curiosity about dying and what happens when and or after you die is normal? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Deadline" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Deadline"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Deadline" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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