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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 Joe see when he walks by Diane's house?

2. How does Joe feel about the war?

3. Why are Joe and Howie laying track in the desert?

4. What does Joe think he should have done about Diane instead rushing out to work in the desert?

5. How much did the bread sacks Joe lifted at the bakery weigh?

Short Essay Questions

1. What idea does Pinky Carson come up with for Jose and how does that work out?

2. What are the two problems Jose talks to the guys at the bakery about?

3. Where does Joe see Jose while he's lying in bed, what does he ask him and what does Joe figure out?

4. Why does he worry about a ring? What kind of ring is it and who gave it to him?

5. Why does Joe wish someone would pick up the phone and what happens when they do?

6. How does Joe come to know he has no face?

7. How does Joe think he might be able to tell being awake and asleep with no eyes?

8. As Joe's pain fades some what does he think about and how does he feel about being deaf?

9. Why doesn't Joe worry about loss of appetite?

10. Who is the pilot who comes to Joe's hometown, what does he do and what does the superintendent of schools say about airplanes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

War is one of the most common occurrences in the history of humankind. Discuss one of the following:

1. Analyze how Joe feels about WWI. Are his feelings typical of others in the book? Are his beliefs about the war justifiable? Explain with examples.

2. Does your belief about WWI change as you read this book? What about your beliefs about war in general? Explain with examples from the text and your own experience.

3. Many resources throughout the ages have been used in the pursuit of war-related activities. Does the war in this book justify the loss of life and resources? Why or why not? Does any war justify the same?

Essay Topic 2

For a few brief moments at the end of the book before Joe is sedated, he is able to communicate his desire to have a purpose. Discuss the following:

1. What does Joe offer to do? Is this a wise thing to suggest?

2. What is the response to Joe's offer? Why?

3. Why is having a sense of purpose so important to Joe?

4. Do you think Joe will re-think what he offers given the response and try to communicate again? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Bonham recalls much of his life, and in a sense, writes a "memoir" in his mind. One aspect of a memoir is the idea of memory. Discuss the following:

1. How accurate do you think Joe's recall is about specific incidents in his life? Explain.

2. Do you think Joe is more or less likely to remember his past considering his present situation? Explain your reasoning.

3. Does recalling his life help Joe remain self-aware? Why or why not? Why would he want to remain self aware?

(see the answer keys)

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