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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. In Chapter 7, what sounds confuses Jessie?

2. Why does Jessie say Mr. Steward once spanked her?

3. What does Jessie say is haunted in Clifton?

4. What disease is affecting the children of Clifton?

5. In Chapter 10, how does Jessie feel about the birds?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Jessie walks Katie home before she leaves Clifton?

2. How does Jessie avoid being caught by Clifton security in Chapter 6?

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

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

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

6. What does Ma reveal to Jessie about Clifton?

7. In Chapter 5, what does Ma tell Jessie about clothing?

8. How does Jessie escape from Clifton?

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

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

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

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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