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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 Ben take Rudy?

2. What is the very talented football team they play in Chapter 13?

3. To what does Hey-Soos compare life?

4. Why does the coach bring Thanksgiving dinner to Ben's house?

5. Of what does Ben remind Mr. Lambeer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What team beats Ben's football team in late November, and why might they have been beaten?

2. Who is the first person Ben tells about his illness, what does he say to him and what is his response?

3. What does Ben tell Lambeer when the teacher asks him if he is going to change his project?

4. What do Ben and Hey-Soos talk about in their first conversation after the Coach's demonstration?

5. What happens in Ben's first confrontation with Rudy's drinking?

6. What does Rudy tell Ben is the reason he is an alcoholic?

7. What has changed in November for Ben with football, how is the team doing and what does Coach think about Cody? How does he feel about Ben and the team?

8. Where does Ben stop after leaving Rudy's, and what does he find out there?

9. What does Ben ask Coach about his book report, how does one of the students respond and what does Coach do to demonstrate democracy to the class?

10. How does Ben feel about his secret on Christmas Eve, what does Hey-Soos tell him and what does Ben decide to do?

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

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Deadline". Questions that Crutcher most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Crutcher's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Crutcher's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Crutcher and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

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)

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