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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 Eddie realize about his life as a maintenance worker, after speaking with Tala?

2. When is the story set in Chapter Eleven, after the author reveals the fourth person Eddie meets in Heaven?

3. How does Eddie spend his last birthday?

4. What is the one word Eddie hears from God?

5. What is the result of Marguerite's hospitalization?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is the child Eddie meets in Heaven, and why is she significant?

2. How does the fifth person Eddie meets in Heaven reveal Eddie's character?

3. How will Amy or Annie's visit to Heaven be connected to Eddie?

4. How is Chapter Twelve used as the denouement?

5. How does Eddie feel when he returns home from the VA hospital?

6. Explain Ruby's lesson to Eddie.

7. Eddie's father saves Mickey Shea. Considering Mickey's actions, what does this rescue say about Eddie's father?

8. Describe Eddie's relationship with Joe.

9. How does Eddie's father die?

10. How does the estate attorney view Eddie's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the concept of Heaven. What is your idea of Heaven? What was Eddie's expectation, before meeting the Blue Man? How does Eddie's actual journey through Heaven compare to your own thoughts of such a place?

Essay Topic 3

The theme of childhood innocence clearly plays an essential role in this novel as related to the life of the protagonist. Identify several examples of how childhood innocence helps to teach Eddie about the importance of his own life.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 979 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample