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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 Ma say Mr. Clifton would miss too much if he lived in Clifton?

2. What does Ma do before leaving the Bentons' house in Chapter 1?

3. What does Jessie think the "large yellow carriages" are in Chapter 10?

4. What does Jessie do when she hears voices in the Clifton bathroom?

5. In Chapter 1, why won't Jessie's mother let her see Betsy?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 1, how does Jessie describe a visit to Dr. Fister?

2. Why does Ma tell Jessie to find Mr. Neely?

3. What does Jessie do when Ma visits with Sally and Betsy in Chapter 1?

4. What upsets Jessie about the middle school student visitors she meets?

5. In Chapter 9, what does Jessie realize about the trees she thought were haunted her entire life?

6. What do Jessie's parents do to make their living in Clifton?

7. What does Ma give Jessie before she leaves Clifton?

8. What is strange about bathrooms to Jessie after she leaves Clifton?

9. What does Jessie do after leaving the bathroom in Chapter 7?

10. In Chapter 7, what makes Jessie feel better about leaving Clifton?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze "Running Out of Time" as a thriller. How does this novel fit within the description of the genre? Are there other genres that may represent this novel better? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the development of Jessie throughout this novel. Assess how the major events of the novel change her as a character. Also, explore how Jessie's personal relationships change her throughout the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Examine the role of fear in this novel. Consider fear as a motivating factor, plot element and as a character itself.

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