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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 kind of story does the narrator suggest this novel is?

2. How late for work was Chick on the Monday morning after receiving the evidence of the family event he missed?

3. In section 1, from what object does Chick decide to jump?

4. What does Posey create out of toilet paper for Chick's Halloween costume when he is six?

5. Who does Chick find looking at him as he recovers from his jump in section 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What word did Chick's mother help Chick find the definition for despite his father's disapproval of her help?

2. What game does the narrator learn that Chick Benetto once played as a professional player?

3. What was Posey's profession at the time of the divorce?

4. Why is the word please carved into the side of tree?

5. What is Posey's reaction to Chick's insistence that her presence in the house is impossible?

6. Why does the narrator in the Introduction say you might call this novel a ghost story?

7. Who tells the narrator about Chick Benetto?

8. When is the first time Chick's mother leaves him a special note?

9. What event caused Chick Benetto to lose faith in himself?

10. What phrase does Chick feel describes him completely?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following and explain how it is a turning point within the plot:

1) Chick's car accident

2) The visit to Miss Thelma

3) The visit to the home of Chick's father

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following in detail, citing examples from the novel:

1) Point of view

2) The setting

3) Language and meaning

4) The structure, including the use of lists and newspaper announcements throughout the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss baseball. Why does Chick decide to go out for baseball? Why does Chick continue to play baseball? Why does Chick not tell his mother that his father comes to his college baseball games? Why does Chick leave college to play professional baseball? How does Posey feel about Chick making this choice? Does this baseball career give Chick the life he wants? Why or why not? Why does Chick finally decide to quit baseball? Why does Chick's father pressure him into playing an old-timers game? What is significant about this game?

(see the answer keys)

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