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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. Why does Ma say Clifton was created?

2. What does Ma tell Jessie to say she is doing after school at the end of Chapter 1?

3. Where does Jessie hide in the room filled with stage coaches?

4. Why does Ma say she moved to Clifton?

5. In Chapter 2, what is Hannah most worried about?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 1, how is Clifton described?

2. In Chapter 6, what things does Jessie overhear Clifton employees talk about?

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

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

5. What was Ma's life like before moving to Clifton?

6. In Chapter 8, how does Jessie almost give away her true identity?

7. When Jessie sees the Clifton school house from the outside in Chapter 9, what happens?

8. After watching Clifton from the outside point of view, what does Jessie think of people in 1996?

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

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

Compare and contrast the author's use of dialog to her use of descriptive passages. What are the strengths of each type of narration? When are they used? How do they develop the plot and characters of this novel?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the role of suspense in this novel. Consider how the author creates it as well as what it does to develop the characters and plot.

Essay Topic 3

How is "Running Out of Time" a commentary on technology? Consider Jessie's introduction to the technology of the 1990s. What are the positive uses and effects of technology? What are the negative uses and effects? What seems to be the author's message about technology?

(see the answer keys)

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