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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 21, what does Jessie overhear a cameraman ask?

2. What makes Jessie angry at the end of Chapter 23?

3. After Jessie's press conference, why do many reporters not want to publish Jessie's story?

4. Why are the reporters at the press conference confused when Jessie mentions Mr. Neely?

5. Why does Miles Clifton apologize on television in Chapter 23?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Katie tell Jessie about the children of Clifton in Chapter 22?

2. At Jessie's press conference in Chapter 21, what does Jessie learn about Mr. Neely?

3. In Chapters 17 and 18, what does Jessie overhear Mr. Neely say on the phone?

4. What happens when Jessie calls the health department in Chapter 20?

5. In Chapter 15, how does Jessie feel about her escape from Clifton?

6. Why is Jessie so angry at the end of Chapter 23?

7. Why does Jessie think of her cat after jumping out of a window?

8. What does Jessie learn in Chapter 22 about the Board of Health?

9. In Chapter 13, what things comfort Jessie?

10. What does Jessie learn about Mr. Seward in Chapter 22?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Explore the symbolism used in "Running Out of Time". Consider the symbolic value of rocks, trees and cars. Why does the author use this device?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the adults in this novel that live in Clifton and the adults who live in 1996. What makes these similarities and differences significant? How do their similarities and differences affect the development of the plot?

(see the answer keys)

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