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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. With whom does Arvin develop a close friendship?

2. What does Carl get for Sandy?

3. What does Jamie think of Sandy?

4. How does Emma feel about Teagardin's spontaneous sermon?

5. Where does Carl start hanging out regularly?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Sandy's actions after Arvin kills Carl?

2. Why does Roy leave where he is and what does he want to do?

3. Where does Carl take Sandy to teach her to shoot and how does the land owner almost lose his life?

4. What does Bodecker get a call about and what does Bodecker start to wonder about Arvin?

5. Who do Sandy and Carl pick up next and what happens?

6. What does Carl think about when he goes to eat at the White Cow Diner?

7. Where does Carl start hanging out and what is his reaction one night to a conversation between two Republicans?

8. Why does Sandy ask Carl to teach her to use the gun he bought her?

9. What happens to Lenora at school and how does Arvin intervene?

10. What does Carl get Sandy and what is her reaction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "The Devil All the Time", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in The Devil All the Time. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "The Devil All the Time" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "The Devil All the Time" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Willard's killing of Dunlap and the apparent spilling of his blood, is a grotesque reiteration of the narrative's emphasis on violence - another motif. It can also be seen as tying in with the two lessons Willard gave Arvin in the prologue of what Willard sees as standing up for himself and how he clearly chooses his time to do so quite carefully.

1. What do you think the author is saying about violence in this work? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss Willard in light of his belief that the sacrifice of animals, and then a human, would restore his wife to health. Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

3. How do you think the two lessons Arvin received from Willard affected Arvin's life? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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