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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 suggest Jessie meet with Mr. Neely in Chapter 5?

2. In Chapter 8, how does Jessie get to look back at life in Clifton?

3. How does Jessie describe people outside of Clifton in Chapter 10?

4. In Chapter 1, why does Ma tell Jessie to be careful?

5. When does Jessie realize Katie is ill?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Ma tell Jessie after they leave the Bentons' in Chapter 1?

4. In Chapter 1, how is Clifton described?

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

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

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

8. What does Jessie think when she first sees a row of school buses?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the plot development of "Running Out of Time", and then compare it to a traditional plot arc. What elements line up between these two? What do not? How do the elements of the plot of this novel strengthen the reader's interest?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Jessie as a protagonist. How does she match the description of a protagonist? In what ways is she effective at anchoring this novel? In what ways is she not?

Essay Topic 3

Consider the changes between 1840 and 1996. Which changes are largest? What things are the same? What do these similarities and differences reveal about modern times?

(see the answer keys)

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