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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. In Part 2, Chapter 11, how do the enlisted men spend their afternoons?

2. What is Billy's nickname?

3. Where does Billy work on the front lines?

4. Billy is afraid his battalion will do what in Part 3, Chapter 17?

5. Who is the spirit's channel at Ngea's seance?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the cave visited by Dr. Rivers after Ngea's death.

2. What is Billy's state of mind in Part 2, Chapter 13?

3. By Part 3, Chapter 16, why is Dr. Rivers one of the few doctors that remain practicing?

4. What provokes Dr. Rivers's dreams of Njiru?

5. Describe what happens in Dr. Rivers dream in Part 2, Chapter 12, when the conch shell is blown.

6. After Ngea's seance, what is left on Dr. Rivers's pillow? What does it signify?

7. What smell brings Billy joy and why?

8. Based on Billy's diary, describe a typical day in France for Billy.

9. What is ironic about Billy's death?

10. What is Billy struggling with emotionally at the beginning of Part 3, Chapter 17?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Billy's is clear on what he does not want to do with his life, but less clear on what he does want to do.

1) What does Billy not want to do with his life?

2) What does Billy choose to do instead? How does this choice help him grow as a person? What responsibilities does it offer?

3) What positive character traits develop in Billy, due to this final experience in the war?

Essay Topic 2

Relationships are an important layer to the story in The Ghost Road. Analyze how the constant threat of death affects the relationships in the novel, citing examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Billy's infidelity defines his character in a way that is not just sexual.

1) Define infidelity.

2) Compare and contrast Billy's infidelity to himself as opposed to others.

3) How does Billy's infidelity lead to his demise?

(see the answer keys)

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