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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does a famous baseball writer describe Shoeless Joe Jackson and a piece of his equipment?
(a) His eyes never met a pitch he couldn't hit.
(b) His glove is the place where triples go to die.
(c) He runs too fast for his shoes to stay on.
(d) His bat cracks like Zues' lightning.

2. Ray brings up a dream that JD Salinger once described, what was it?
(a) Salinger dreamed about playing baseball with Mickey Mantle.
(b) Salinger dreamed about playing baseball in Fenway Park.
(c) Salinger dreamed about playing baseball with Shoeless Joe.
(d) Salinger dreamed about playing at the Polo Grounds.

3. How and where does Ray first meet Annie?
(a) In Berkeley, CA; they meet in college.
(b) In Iowa; Ray was on a road trip.
(c) In Iowa; Annie was the daughter of Ray's landlady.
(d) In Chicago, IL; at a baseball game.

4. What does Ray offer Salinger to pursued him to come to the baseball game with him?
(a) Nothing-he uses the gun to force Salinger to join him.
(b) A baseball hit by Shoeless Joe.
(c) Shoeless Joe's cleats.
(d) A clod of grass from Ray's field.

5. Why does Ray stop in Boston before driving to New Hampshire?
(a) Boston is simply along his travel route.
(b) To attend a baseball game-he wants to visit Fenway alone.
(c) To visit the "Oldest living Cub" Eddie Scissons.
(d) To make sure he has baseball tickets in hand when he asks JD Salinger to the game.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which famous baseball player picked Shoeless Joe as the greatest left fielder of all time?

2. What does JD Salinger describe writers as?

3. Ray describes falling in love with Iowa as a religious experience, but why can't he talk about it?

4. In "They Tore Down the Polo Grounds in 1964", we learn about a member of Ray's family. Who is this person?

5. In the beginning of the book, how does Ray prevent his grass from being ruined in a freeze?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the symbolism of doors in The Rapture of J.D. Salinger.

2. Who is Eddie Scissons? What is his relationship to Ray?

3. At the beginning of the novel, would you describe Ray's farming as a commercial success? Why or why not?

4. How does Salinger compare baseball to America?

5. What did Dr. Graham always buy for his wife?

6. What does Ray thinks happens to the ball players when they walk through the door in the outfield fence after the last game?

7. Where is Eddie buried? Why?

8. Describe Moonlight Graham's experience of playing baseball in the Major Leagues.

9. What trick does Ray use to keep the field from freezing?

10. As they drive from the game, Ray recalls the interview that J.D. Salinger gave about his boyhood dream; what was it?

(see the answer keys)

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