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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. What does Jessie do after escaping from Mr. Neely's apartment?

2. Why does the woman at the State Health Department hang up on Jessie the first time she calls?

3. In Chapter 18, what does Mr. Neely say Miles does not want?

4. Why does Ray say he stopped his car in Chapter 16?

5. What does Katie say Mr. Seward did when the Board of Health showed up at Clifton?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 14, what do Jessie and the "fat man" talk about?

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

3. What happens the first time Jessie uses a phone?

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

5. After first leaving Clifton, what things does Jessie question about money?

6. What makes Jessie comfortable with Mr. Neely when she first meets him?

7. During Jessie's press conference in Chapter 21, what does she reveal about Clifton?

8. In Chapter 13, what things comfort Jessie?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the role of fear in this novel. Consider fear as a motivating factor, plot element and as a character itself.

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

Explore the message the author provides about the relationship between adults and children. Are these two groups at odds with each other as enemies, or do they work together? How does the relationship change? What does this relationship reveal?

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