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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 Jessie say people waited until night to get sick in her village?

2. In Chapter 8, how does Jessie describe the middle school students?

3. Why does Hannah think Pa won't build a new house?

4. Why is Jessie happy after using the bathroom at Clifton?

5. What is Jessie's mother's role in the village?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Jessie's mother leave the house in the middle of the night in Chapter 1?

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

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

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

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

8. In Chapter 1, what rule does Ma have for Jessie coming with her on a house call?

9. How does Jessie escape from Clifton?

10. In Chapter 8, what does Jessie realize about her life in 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 title, "Running Out of Time", in relationship to the events of this novel. What makes the title appropriate? How is the title symbolic?

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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