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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 world event is happening in Chapter Five?

2. From what does the Captain save his men?

3. What talent does Eddie have that eventually helps him escape from prison during the war?

4. What color is the sea that Eddie sees?

5. Who is the second person Eddie meets in Heaven?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance, or lack of significance, of time in Heaven?

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

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

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

5. What happens when Eddie realizes the danger is not over at the Freddy Free Fall?

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

7. What does Eddie feel from the Blue Man when the Blue Man hugs Eddie?

8. What does the reader learn about "Eddie Maintenance" in Chapter One?

9. Discuss Eddie's encounter with the first character he meets in Heaven, the Blue Man.

10. When the action returns to Ruby Pier, the reader finds the park closed. How does Eddie's death impact the Pier?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Eddie learns that his life has helped to save the lives of many others. How might the five people Eddie meets in Heaven be impacted if Eddie had NOT been involved in their lives? Discuss how the Blue Man, Tala, Amy or Annie, Marguerite, and Ruby might have entirely different lives if it were not for Eddie.

Essay Topic 2

The estate attorney at the end of the novel comments on what a "poor slob" Eddie is because he has no material possessions. How is Eddie actually rich, without consideration of material possessions?

Essay Topic 3

The reader first meets Eddie as an eighty-three year old man who performs maintenance at Ruby Pier. As the story unfolds, the reader learns of Eddie's younger years, and the action takes the reader back to the moment of his death when Eddie finally comes "home" to Heaven. Discuss how the novel comes full circle, being sure to reference several main points from Eddie's life.

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