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

2. What is Cody's nickname at school?

3. How does Ben contact Hey-Soos?

4. Where does Ben go after he leaves Dallas's house?

5. What does the coach remind the players of in his first talk to them?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dallas ask Ben when he sees her after the Horseshoe Bend game and what does she tell him?

2. 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?

3. What is happening to Ben in Lambeer's class, what project does Ben decide upon and what is Lambeer's opinion of the project?

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Where does Ben go after the dance and what does he do there?

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

Characters are an important part of what makes "Deadline" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Ben. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Dallas. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of the Coach. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Deadline", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement.) Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Deadline". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not? Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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