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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 Ed get upset with Bill at the beginning of chapter 9?

2. What does Bill's mother demand when she finds out she is pregnant?

3. What frightening thing is found in the black box buried in Ronny Lawton's cellar?

4. How does Bill like his coffee?

5. What is the name of the retirement resort Ed mentions in chapter 9?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe one of the ways Bill's grandfather used to make money off of ice.

2. List some of the features offered at the Florida retirement community Sam contemplates in chapter 9.

3. Who is Gretchen? Describe her.

4. How does Ronny Lawton's estranged wife know Darlene?

5. List some of the signs that give evidence to Ed and his illness.

6. List the reasons Ed gives for his irritation with Bill over Darlene in chapter 10.

7. Describe the insane scene at Denny's with the teenagers and Ronny.

8. Describe Bill's mother.

9. Why is Sam always in a state of panic over the paper?

10. List some of the animals Bill used to visit at the zoo as a child.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Retirement and death are reoccurring themes in The Keepers of Truth. Ed and Sam are both older men who see themselves retiring in the near future. What goes unsaid between them is how death is an inevitability that is always lurking nearby.

Write an essay exploring the ideas of retirement and death as seen through the eyes of Ed and Sam. What do these men think about it? Do they fear becoming old, useless, and forgotten? How do their feelings impact their characters throughout the story? Reference the novel to support your opinions.

Essay Topic 2

Bill has very strong feelings about his family history. He does not hide any detail when he recalls the series of events that lead up to his father's death.

Judging by Bill's past psychiatric history, and that of his family, is it possible that he may come to an end similar to that of his father? Write an essay that explains the answer to this question and how it contributes to the novel. Does it contribute to the plot, character, foreshadowing, or something else? What evidence in the book is given to support or negate this assumption? Reference the novel to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

When Ronny Lawton takes Teri and Lucas hostage he does it after coming back into town and killing Karl. Up until this point there is no concrete proof that Ronny is guilty of anything.

Write an essay explaining why Ronny Lawton takes such drastic actions after coming back into town. What has driven him to this point? Does him killing Karl and taking hostages prove anything about his innocence in other matters? Why or why not? Use examples from the novel to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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