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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. Upon leaving Pleasantview Cemetery, what does Louis toss over the fence?

2. While on the plane to Chicago, which character visits Ellie in a dream to tell her something bad is going to happen?

3. What makes Rachel think of Gage when she arrives at the first place she stops in Ludlow?

4. Who dies in Chapter 31?

5. Whose funeral is on May 17?

Short Essay Questions

1. What makes Ellie sick during her plane trip? What makes her perk up at the end of the trip?

2. What inspires Rachel to finally discuss her sister's death? Is she usually inspired by such instances?

3. Why can't Louis help console his wife and daughter?

4. How does Louis feel when he sees Jud comforting Ellie at the funeral in Chapter 41 and why does he feel that way?

5. Why doesn't Louis drive home after taking his family to the airport and what thoughts does he have while eating dinner at the hotel's restaurant?

6. What is the date of Gage's funeral and in what sequence do we learn about it in the book?

7. Why does Louis want Rachel and Ellie to go to Chicago and how does he convince them to go?

8. When Louis first saw the Indian burial ground, he noted all the cairns had been disturbed. As he's burying Gage, the reader learns that Louis has discovered why. Why have the cairns been disturbed and how does Louis know this?

9. What is happening with Louis and with Rachel at 11 p.m. in Chapters 47-48? Why does the author report their activities this way?

10. Why does Louis watch over his sleeping son after their fun day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the life and accomplishments of the Pet Sematary author, Stephen King. How did he begin his writing career? What other jobs has he performed? What other works has he written?

Essay Topic 2

How was Victor Pascow important to the story? What was his role and how did he fulfill it? How did the author's decision to use a stranger for this role impact the story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss foreshadowing and its importance in writing mystery or suspense novels. Select five memorable instances of foreshadowing from the story and write about them in detail. Why did those five instances stay on your mind?

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