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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 Will do out of fear with the gun to his head in Chapter Five?

2. What is Buck trying to show Shawn while Shawn is upset as said in Chapter Six?

3. What had Shawn told Will about Buck’s death as Will says in Chapter Six?

4. What does the sound of Will’s dad cocking the gun in Chapter Five sound like to Will?

5. What does Will feel looking at his dad in Chapter Five after his dad finishes his story?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Will’s mom tell Will about why his dad had died as told in Chapter Five? What had Will thought about this as a kid?

2. How does Frick justify his killing Buck in Chapter Six? How do the other men in the elevator respond?

3. In Chapter Four, what does Will remember when he realizes the guy who gets onto the elevator is Uncle Mark?

4. What does Will’s dad do to Will after he tells Will his story? How does Will respond? How does their interaction end?

5. What is the script of the film Uncle Mark wants to make as described by Jessie in Chapter Four?

6. When Will hears Buck talking about Shawn being upset in Chapter Six, who does Will think is the guy who bothered Shawn at the convenience store? What does Frick say when asked about Riggs?

7. What does Uncle Mark have Will do after Will explains his plan to him in Chapter Four? What does Will find when they do this?

8. How is Buck two-sided, as said in Chapter Six? What do people in the neighborhood say about him?

9. What does Uncle Mark ask Will after Will finishes the scene in Chapter Four? What does Uncle Mark say in reply to Will’s response?

10. Who finishes the scene for Will in Chapter Four? What does Will feel when he echoes the ending?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Long Way Down uses and reinterprets several metaphors throughout the book. Choose one of the metaphors or figures of language used in Long Way Down (such a middle drawer). Find and write three instances of how the metaphor is used and changed or interpreted in new ways throughout the novel. What is the first definition of the word? What is the meaning of the word by the end of the novel? Finally, why is this metaphor used over and over? What is the purpose of the novel in using the same figurative language over and over?

Essay Topic 2

The Rules are the center of the novel's events, driving Will's actions as well as the actions of generations before him. Will says repeatedly, "The Rules are the rules," implying that they can not be changed. Why is this the case? Why has Will, and others, accepted The Rules so readily? What have The Rules done for the community? And finally, does the novel show that The Rules are The Rules, or does it show something different? Use four textual examples to support your paper.

Essay Topic 3

Rhythm and meter add structure and meaning to the events of the novel. Find three examples not already discussed in class to develop an analysis of how rhythm and meter in these instances add to the events taking place.How does it deepen the understanding of the events? What does it say in each instance? Develop a thesis about the function of rhythm and meter in Long Way Down based on what you find.

(see the answer keys)

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