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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. Who is AWOL from the army, but the army takes him back anyway?

2. Gary writes in a letter that he thinks ____________ might return him to the world a happier person.

3. Who is the doctor at the state mental hospital who is evaluating Gary during his prison sentence?

4. What is the less embarrassing topic Nicole decides to talk about instead of talking about when she first had sex?

5. Who is the man who molested Nicole when she was around 6 years of age?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the coincidence that makes Nicole think she and Gary are somehow connected by the universe when they first meet?

2. Why do Nicole's other lovers become a bit unnerved by her and by her situation?

3. Describe the state of April, Nicole's sister, when Gary finds her at Nicole's mother's house.

4. What are some of the things Gary thinks are interesting, revealing that he hasn't been in a bar in a long time?

5. Why is Gary's case the case of a lifetime for Esplin and Snyder?

6. What is one of the first signs in the book that Gary might have feelings for younger girls?

7. Why do Gary's lawyers believe the death sentence will not be carried out and that it will be eventually overturned?

8. Why does Grace McGinnis eventually sever ties with Bessie and her clan?

9. What are the mental health conclusions that Esplin and Snyder learn in their trips to Utah State Hospital?

10. What are the two causes for Gary's murderous behaviors, according to Grace, his apologist?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the end, Gary is surrounded by his family and friends as he spends his final night on the Earth.

Part 1: Why are Gary's family and friends so supportive of him?

Part 2: Why didn't Gary's family and friends fight harder for him to stay alive?

Part 3: If you were a family member of Gary's, what would you have done when you found out he was sentenced to death?

Essay Topic 2

At one point of the story, Gary decides he does not want to be saved by legal actions. He just wants to die.

Part 1: Why do you think Gary just wants to be executed? Why doesn't he fight for his life?

Part 2: Do you think Gary really wants to die? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think Gary could have avoided the death sentence? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Gary says at one point that he does not want any publicity, though he goes ahead and changes this stance once Boaz enters the picture.

Part 1: Why wouldn't Gary want publicity for his initial story?

Part 2: Why might Gary have changed his mind about getting more public about his story?

Part 3: How will the publicity of Gary's story affect others in his life?

(see the answer keys)

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