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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. In Joe's dream what can Jesus do?

2. Why does Joe decide a particular day is New Year's Day?

3. What do Joe and Flannigan often do together?

4. What does Joe think the hospital wants to do?

5. What does Joe realize now that he has "trapped" time?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Joe in his third year in the hospital?

2. What does the day nurse do with Joe?

3. Why can't Bonham stand the train and what does he do when he sees Christ?

4. What does the little guy waiting for the train with Joe say? How does Joe answer him? What do they do then?

5. What did Lucky survive in America and how did she survive it?

6. Describe Bonnie Flannigan and what does she tell Joe?

7. What does the nurse think Joe wants at first when Joe starts tapping?

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

9. How does Joe envision his nurses?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Electric pain shakes him hard and throws him back into bed, exhausted. He feels sweat all over beneath bandages that wrap him top to bottom. Knowing he is hurt badly, he feels his heart pounding but cannot hear his pulse. This means he is "stone deaf".

1. Do you think the normal reaction in Joe's situation would be to want to die? Why or why not?

2. Discuss the ways in which you believe Joe's pain might be affecting his mind and emotions.

3. Joe has found out by logical deduction that he is deaf. How do you think that knowledge has affected him? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Imagery and symbols play a large role in this story. Discuss one of the following:

1. Choose one recurring image or symbol and analyze it and show how it relates to two major themes.

2. Discuss why you think that someone in Joe's situation would include much imagery in his thought processes.

3. Why do you think any author uses images and symbols rather than clearly expressing an idea? Give examples to support your stance.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,161 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample