View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the Italian woman that Posey and Chick go to visit last?

2. What happens when Miss Thelma's grandchildren come into her bedroom?

3. How does Posey react when Chick asks if he can be with her if he dies?

4. What does Chick believe about his current circumstances now that he knows he is somewhere in limbo between life and death?

5. What does Chick notice as he, his mother, and Miss Thelma drive through town?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who gave Chick his nickname?

3. What does Miss Thelma claim will keep her memory alive for years to come?

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

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

6. Who encouraged Chick to drop out of college?

7. To whom does Posey take Chick to visit after dinner?

8. On whom does Chick blame the break up of his marriage?

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

10. Why was Posey fired from her job as a nurse?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss symbolism. Chick's father gives him a pair of old shoes that he once used while playing ball. Discuss the significance of these shoes and how the author uses them as a symbol of Chick's life and of his relationship with his father.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 865 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample