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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 happens when Ben goes out to run?

2. Why does Rudy say he stays drunk?

3. What does Ben realize he does not want?

4. What did Rudy think Ben was going to do earlier?

5. How does the coach feel about school work?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Ben go to see Rudy at three in the morning, and what does he find there?

4. What is happening to Ben's attitude, why and what does he begin to do because of it?

5. What does Ben's family do for Thanksgiving?

6. What does Rudy's note to Ben say and what is Ben's response?

7. How does Ben tell Dallas his secret, and what is her reaction?

8. 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?

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

10. Where does Ben go after school almost everyday and what does he do there? How does Dallas feel about what he says about Joe Henry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Ben is learning how to cope with this new situation, trying to define the proper time to let the truth out, and he is trying to understand those around him. In this chapter, he seems to have found himself. With confidence, he turns away the new therapist and stands up to his teacher. He does it respectfully and with a solid plan. Ben shows that he is listening to Hey-Soos and is willing to look at people from a different perspective.

1. Do you think Ben would have acquired his confidence if he had not been dying? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. What do you think Ben has learned about the people around him by listening to them and talking about them to Hey-Soos? How has his situation enabled him to look at people differently? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Ben is trying to figure out when and how to tell people about his illness. Dallas reacts in anger. Why do you think Dallas gets angry at him and do you think she should forgive him automatically because he is dying? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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