View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are Dale and Lawrence walking to in Chapter 7?

2. Who is Van Syke?

3. What wakes Mike in Chapter 12?

4. When does Aleister Crowley say an apocalypse will occur after the bell is activated by a sacrifice?

5. Where is Duane lying in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sandra Whittaker tell the boys in Chapter 5?

2. What does Tubby Cook do in the basement lavatory in Chapter 2?

3. After returning to his house with the constable and Dr. Staffney, what does Jim discover in his room?

4. What happens to Duane in Chapter 9 when he is walking into town?

5. What does Duane learn from Alister Crowley's book, "The Book of the Law"?

6. What does Mr. Sperling find in the basement after Dale screams?

7. What does Duane hear through his headphones in Chapter 4?

8. Where do Dale and Lawrence discover new furrows in Chapter 15? What happens while they are taking a closer look at one of them?

9. What do the students suddenly hear at the school, and how does Principal Roon explain the sound?

10. What happens when Duane hears his father start the combine in Chapter 19?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The group of boys are the main characters of the novel. Mike, Duane, Dale, Kevin, Jim, and Lawrence all have significant roles in the novel and influence the plot in some way. What are these characters' defining character traits? How do they influence the plot?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the conclusion of the novel. Are there any surprises at the end of the novel? Are there any unanswered questions? Did you enjoy the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author of the novel, Dan Simmons. What other works has he received recognition for? Is his work usually similarly-themed? Does he always write in the same genre?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 867 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample