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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 position did Ray's father play in the minor leagues?

2. As "They Tore Down the Polo Grounds in 1964" ends, where are Ray and Salinger about to travel?

3. Who does Ray suggest could play with Shoeless Joe and the others?

4. What is the voice's second message?

5. In the first game, why can't Ray see other players' faces?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Archie believe a player needs to do in order to earn a nickname?

2. What is Dr. Graham's most private wish?

3. What happens to Ray as he is walking through the South Side of Chicago on his way to the baseball game?

4. In The Rapture of J.D. Salinger, Salinger says he wants to "touch the perfect dream." Describe what the "perfect dream" might be for Salinger.

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

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

7. What does Eddie tell Ray to do about his father?

8. At the Minneapolis Twins ballpark, how do Ray, Salinger and Archie get into the stadium at night?

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

10. In The Rapture of J.D. Salinger, describe what Salinger reveals to Ray to calm his anger.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kinsella uses the literary technique of flashbacks to help fill in details about Ray's life. These flashbacks are interspersed with current activity, which form the combination of foreshadowing future events. In an essay, analyze the use of flashbacks to foreshadow future events. Use examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Write an expository essay giving an overview of the Black Sox scandal. Include key players, evidence against the players and Shoeless Joe's role. Include whether or not you think Shoeless Joe was guilty. What evidence is there against him?

Essay Topic 3

A major theme in the novel, Shoeless Joe, is that of redemption. In an essay, analyze this theme in the novel. Who receives redemption? How do they receive it?

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