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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. Why does Joe Bonham wish someone would pick up the phone?

2. What famous person flies into Joe's hometown one day?

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

4. What does Superintendent of School Hargraves say about the airplane?

5. What type of musical instrument does Joe's mother play?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe how Joe is feeling while working in the desert.

3. Why does Joe think he is dying and why does he know he is alive?

4. Describe the scene at the rail station when Joe is leaving for the army.

5. What does Joe think when he thinks of his family and what does he see as the reality?

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

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

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

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

10. When is Joe's birthday; how did they celebrate; and what present did Glen give him one year? What came a few months after that present?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When a new nurse if finally able to understand that Joe is tapping out words using Morse Code, hope and joy infuse Joe. Discuss the following:

1. How does Joe finally manage to communicate with the new nurse?

2. What are Joe's reactions to communicating? Give examples.

3. Why do you think Joe offers to be a "circus" exhibit? Do you think he would eventually regret such an offer? Why or why not?

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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