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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. Why does Arvin get into fights at school?

2. What career does Carl try to break into in California?

3. What does Lenora realize eventually?

4. What does Arvin find on Carl's body?

5. Why does Sandy want to do laundry?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Joe tell Sandy when he visits her at the bar one day and what is her reaction?

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

3. What does Arvin notice about the new pastor?

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

5. What happens with the fourth "model" Sandy and Carl pick up?

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

7. Where does Arvin go to live and with whom does he develop a friendship?

8. What does Arvin sense when Carl stops the car and what does Arvin do as Arvin gets out of the car?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Donald Ray Pollock.

2. What in Pollock's background may have helped him in writing "The Devil All the Time"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in "The Devil All the Time"? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in "The Devil All the Time" including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "The Devil All the Time" and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "The Devil All the Time" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "The Devil All the Time" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "The Devil All the Time" a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,020 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample