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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where does Eddie meet the love of his life?
(a) At Ruby Pier.
(b) At a church dance.
(c) Overseas when he was a soldier.
(d) At an eating establishment.

2. What is happening at the Ruby Pier of the present in Chapter Five?
(a) The rides have all ceased working.
(b) Business, as usual.
(c) People await the ambulance.
(d) A sideshow has come to visit.

3. Whose philosophy reads, "When your time came, it came, and that was that"?
(a) A child's.
(b) Eddie's father.
(c) Eddie's.
(d) Marguerite's.

4. What does Eddie see when he dies?
(a) Different colors and changing landscape.
(b) God.
(c) Marguerite.
(d) Heaven.

5. What does Eddie wonder about in Chapter Seven?
(a) Whether the Captain felt any pain before he died.
(b) Whether Rabozzo went to Heaven.
(c) Whether he will ever return to Ruby Pier.
(d) Whether he saves the girl at Ruby Pier.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Eddie decide to do for a profession when he is young?

2. When is Chapter Three set?

3. What happens to the field where Chapter Seven opens?

4. What happens to Eddie's leg?

5. Why does Eddie feel like his body is that of a child in Chapter Four?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss the significance of the title of Chapter Two, "The Journey."

2. Eddie tries to return to the burning tent to save a child. What does this action reveal about Eddie's character?

3. How is Eddie feeling, now that he has awakened in Heaven?

4. How does Eddie's time spent on the Pier save him during the war?

5. The Pier serves as a home for the Blue Man, and as a place with many memories for Eddie, some fond, some unpleasant. Discuss the significance of the encounters at the Pier in Chapter Four as a place to confront damaged emotions.

6. In Chapter Six, what do the readers learn of Eddie's expectations of himself and from his life? Are these expectations met?

7. Why is Eddie confused about the fact that he is still on Ruby Pier?

8. The readers learn that today is Eddie's birthday. What is his mood as the little girl approaches him in Chapter One?

9. The Blue Man tells Eddie, "there are no random acts...we are all connected..." Explain this quote as it relates to the Blue Man and Eddie.

10. Discuss the significance of the title of Chapter Three, "The Arrival".

(see the answer keys)

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