View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When does Ed want Bill to come over for dinner in chapter 5?

2. What does Bill like to do for fun?

3. What is the name of the church-going man who dies in 1902?

4. What is the name of the tavern Bill, Ed, and Sam go to in chapter 9?

5. How old is Ronny's son?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe the process Ronny Lawton went through to report his father missing.

4. Why is Bill always leaving messages on his girlfriend's machine?

5. What did Ronny Lawton do for his mother when his father refused to take her to the doctor?

6. How does Ronny react when Bill shows up and plays music at his work?

7. List some of the negative ways Ronny Lawton's estranged treats her child.

8. Describe Bill's mother.

9. List some of the physical traits the waitresses at Denny's have.

10. How does Pete react when Bill presents him with the possible murder weapon? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sam meets an end that is both tragic and pitiful. He never gets to live the retired life he dreamed of. His death occurs suddenly and without provocation.

Write an essay explaining why Sam chose to die as he did. What events in the book foreshadow his death? What actions were taken by Sam that might have seemed suspicious? Did Bill and Ed see Sam as someone who was suicidal? Reference the novel to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Prejudice is a recurring theme in The Keepers of Truth. In the beginning many people in the town think that Ronny Lawton is guilty.

Write an essay that explains who thinks that Ronny is guilty and what evidence is given to support this idea. Do the opinions of these characters change over the course of the book? Why or why not? In what other instances of the story is prejudice a factor? Use examples from the novel to make the point.

Essay Topic 3

The gardening shears play an important role in the psychological part of the story. The idea of their presence haunts Bill continuously after he buries them in his backyard.

Write an essay that explores the ideas of paranoia and psychological insecurity. What is Bill constantly afraid of when it comes to the shears? Who knows about them and what could happen if they are found? Do the shears have any impact on the conclusion of the story? Reference the novel to support your point.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 875 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample