View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What bothers Ben about his relationship with Dallas?

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

3. What does the song Ben hears on his player say about dying?

4. Where does Ben tell Dallas he is planning to go?

5. For what is Mr. Lambeer known in his teaching?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Ben find out he might have a serious physical illness, and how does Ben insist he learn about this illness?

4. What is the compromise between Ben and Dr. Wagner concerning Ben wanting to keep his illness a secret and what does the person tell him he goes to see?

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

6. What does Ben find when he stops at Rudy's and what does Ben find out there? What does Rudy show him?

7. What sport does Ben try out for, and what do the other players think about him playing that sport?

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. What does the coach ask Ben at the luncheon and what does he say Ben needs to do?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ben doesn't question his choice to avoid treatment, but he's starting to realize that life is bittersweet. Every time he enjoys something, he realizes that the experience comes along with a bit of sadness since it won't last. Since there are so few people in the town, everyone in town is invited, and the music is played to please everyone. Ben looks at everything with a new light and wants to be around longer. He is very aware that this might be the best night of his life. He feels the clash of mortality and immortality as he enjoys the pleasures of the evening while knowing that it won't last and he will soon be gone.

1. Do you think life is balanced by joy and sorrow? Why or why not? Do you think Ben's life has more sorrow than joy? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. What do you think are ways one might be able to see life in a new light even if one is not dying? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think something pleasurable is even more so if you know it will last only a short time? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

The reader sees a connection which can explain even more why Ben has so much admiration for Coach. The man is dedicated to academic studies even during the football season. He is also very open-minded. He has no problem with Ben reading the Malcolm X book, and when another student voices the opinion that the book is bad, Coach turns the situation into a lesson on democracy and book burning. He knows how to reach the students and keep an open mind.

1. Discuss the stereotype of coaches not caring about academics and whether you believe that is true or not. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think the coach burning the book was wrong? Do you think it was a good demonstration? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think students' reading should be censored by the school? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Deadline based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "Deadline" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Deadline" a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,440 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample