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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. Richard recalls a fear of ___________________ as a boy.

2. What does Richard see from the air that the adult brain says it could not reasonably survive?

3. In Chapter 19, where are Richard and Leslie preparing to go?

4. What large item does Richard ask Dickie to recall?

5. What does Richard respond when Dickie asks Richard's age?

Short Essay Questions

1. What conflict does Richard realize he has regarding relating to Dickie?

2. What is the premise of RUNNING FROM SAFETY: AN ADVENTURE OF THE SPIRIT?

3. What is the landscape in which Richard finds Dickie in his mind and what does it symbolize?

4. What does Richard tell Dickie are the two things necessary to get through life?

5. What is Richard's pattern for dealing with life's challenges, and how can Dickie possibly help him in this area?

6. What does Richard have to promise Dickie in order for Dickie to turn over another memory?

7. Why is Dickie sad about giving the memories to Richard?

8. When does Richard feel as if he has a connection with Dickie and what role has Dickie played in Richard's life?

9. Who is Sheperd and how does Richard encounter him?

10. Describe Dickie's sense of accomplishment in the water tower incident.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of struggling with personal identity was an important one in this book. Describe how it extends through setting, character and issues and provide examples for each.

Essay Topic 2

RUNNING FROM SAFETY is a classic story of loss and renewal. What does that classification entail? Why does this book fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Project into the future ten years after the end of the book and write a brief synopsis for the main characters' lives. Will Dickie still be such a presence in Richard's life? What will Richard be doing? Will Dickie age at all or will he be eternally nine years old?

(see the answer keys)

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