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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 think he may be lucky not having a nose?

2. What does Joe finally do after thinking about a lottery?

3. How does Joe figure out that he is deaf?

4. Why doesn't Joe worry about lack of appetite?

5. What does Joe wish as he goes to bed?

Short Essay Questions

1. When did Joe become aware of the war and what events in the war occurred at that time?

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

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

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

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

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

7. What doesn't Joe understand about being alive?

8. What does Joe think about guys fighting for liberty?

9. What does Joe want to stop and why?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When one is unconscious, there is no such thing as time, and when fading in and out, people feel time bunch up--like women in labor for three days saying it seems like ten hours. Considering he may have been like this for two years, Bonham feels a panicky dread. He needs to "trap" time and get back into the world. Discuss one of the following:

1. How does Joe Bonham think of time and eventually "trap" time?

2. What are the ways humans measure time and why does Bonham have such difficulty figuring out a system to measure time? Why do you think he wants to know about the passage of time?

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the construct of time? Use examples both from the text and your own experience.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

When Joe is boarding the train to go to boot camp after being drafted, he describes a scene of bands playing, flags waving and women and children calling out to their beloved husbands, sons, and brothers who are leaving for war. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think men (and now women also) are often sent off to war in an almost-festive-like atmosphere?

2. Does this send off make it harder or easier for Joe Bonham to march off to war? Explain.

3. If sending men and women off to war were treated like a funeral, do you think it would impact those leaving in a positive or negative way? Explain.

4. How would the political powers be impacted if war were viewed differently by a funeral-like send off?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,124 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample