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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. With whom does Arvin go to live after his father's death?

3. Why does Arvin get into fights at school?

4. What does Teagardin do to "help" Lenora being bullied?

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

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 want to do and what is Sandy's response?

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

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

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

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

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

8. Who do Carl and Sandy pick up after Roy and what does each person in the car think as they are riding?

9. Where do Theodore and Roy move and how is Theodore?

10. What are Roy and Theodore now doing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bodecker himself has gone up in the world, at least in terms of public status. The reference to his taking bribes, on the other hand, reveals how low he has sunk in terms of personal moral status. The reference to bribes also foreshadows events later in the narrative in which his hard-won status becomes increasingly endangered by his corrupt activities and attitudes. Meanwhile, it's interesting to note how his, Sandy's and Carl's varied states of corruption are juxtaposed one to the other to the other, parallel situations that lead to parallel justice - death at the hands of the avenging Arvin.

1. Do you think Bodecker was always corrupt? Why or why not? Do you think public office corrupts many individuals? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss what is meant by the following: Bodecker's, Sandy's and Carl's varied states of corruption are juxtaposed one to the other to the other. Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

3. Do you think Bodecker deserved to die as much as some of the other corrupt characters? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

One of the most intriguing and engaging aspects of the narrative is the depth and texture to the writing - specifically, its use of imagery and motif to illustrate its thematic and narrative points. One repeated motif of dark and destructive sexuality has already been discussed. Another appears for the first time here in Helen's decision to marry Roy, that motif or image being that of a lonely woman giving herself to an unworthy, destructive man. The motif repeats later in the relationship between Carl and Sandy.

1. Discuss reasons why a woman might marry a destructive man. Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss what the above paragraph means by imagery and motif to illustrate a theme. Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

3. How do you think destructive sexuality might affect a person's life? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

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)

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