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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. How did Catherine react two weeks after Posey's death to Chick's confession regarding the fake business trip?

2. What request did Posey make for her own funeral after seeing the custom at Jewish funerals?

3. What does Posey stress to Chick as being the most important thing in his life while he is college?

4. Why does Chick admit he continued to play baseball all through his childhood?

5. What news does Rose mention she hear on the radio shortly before Posey and Chick come to visit?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Posey often do for some of the patients in the hospital where she worked as a nurse?

2. Why was Posey not impressed with Chick's baseball scholarship?

3. What job does Chick learn his mother did in order to help pay his college tuition?

4. Why does Posey suggest Len got involved with this second woman while he was in the war, even though he was already engaged to Posey?

5. What are the two days at college Chick shares with the reader?

6. What does Chick claim he does not want to be?

7. What explanation does Posey give to Chick about how people are dying call her to their sides?

8. Who encourages Chick to leave town the day of his mother's birthday? Why?

9. What does the Italian woman say when she catches sight of Posey and Chick in her mirror?

10. What does Chick hear when he answers the phone at Rose's house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Rose and Miss Thelma. Who is Rose? Why is Posey visiting her home? How does Posey know Rose is about to die? What is Posey attempting to do about that fact? Why does Chick not question his mother's apparent knowledge of death? Who is Miss Thelma? In what capacity did she once work for the Benetto family? What business did Posey go into with Miss Thelma? Why do Thelma's grandchildren not see Chick? What does Chick think of this?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Chick want to commit suicide? What causes Chick to become that depressed? Does Chick's decision have anything to do with either of his parents? In what way? Does Chick's wife or daughter have anything to do with his decision to commit suicide? Explain. When does Chick realize suicide is not the right answer? Why does Chick decide he must live? How much credit can Chick's mother take for helping Chick change his mind? Was Chick's mother really there with him or was she just a figment of his damaged brain? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Who does Chick see standing over him after he jumps from the water tower? Why does Chick doubt what he is seeing? Who does Chick spend the rest of the day with? Why is this not possible? Why does the impossibility of this not clue Chick in to the idea that something is not right with him? What is the voice Chick continuously hears throughout the day? What does this voice mean to the reader? What does it ultimately mean to Chick? How does Chick respond to the voice?

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