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. Why is everyone in Bethlehem in the story Joe's mother reads?

2. What does Joe think he'll probably do even in his sleep?

3. What does Joe think is the key to figuring out time?

4. What does Joe believe he must do now?

5. What does Joe decide he needs to offer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Joe imagine as he waits for the nurse to return and do you think he is overreacting?

2. What does Joe say every Allied nation expects?

3. What solution finally comes to Joe about keeping track of time?

4. Describe the process of the new nurse attempting to communicate with Joe.

5. How does Joe think of Kareen and what does he wonder about her?

6. What does a doctor do when Joe keeps tapping and what does Joe think is the reason why?

7. What is Joe's first response to what the nurse communicates to him?

8. What does Joe think is the key to knowing time and how does he plan to use the key?

9. Why does Joe think he's in England?

10. What does Bonham realize he wants?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Joe muses on his being a prisoner and as he does so, he empathizes with prisoners throughout the ages. Discuss one of the following:

1. Discuss fully how involuntary confinement affects the human spirit. Use examples from the text and personal experience.

2. Compare and contrast the experience of a prisoner who is one due to his choice to commit a crime versus a prisoner who has done no wrong but is one due to oppression by those stronger than s/he.

3. Are there more humane and rehabilitative methods to confine dangerous or criminal people than the United State's current methods?

Essay Topic 2

In one of the first chapters, Joe Bonham is thinking about an airplane that comes to town when he is young and the wonderful thing that it is. Discuss the following:

1. Contrast the theme of flying and the freedom it suggests to Joe's situation.

2. What kind of freedom is possible for someone in Joe's post-injury life?

3. WWI is, in a sense, fought over the concept of freedom. Discuss the irony of Joe fighting in a war for "freedom."

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 1,367 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample