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. Who is taken hostage in chapter 15?

2. What does Bill and Ronny's estranged drink with their meal in chapter 11?

3. How many days does Bill stay in his secret place to the north?

4. Who owns "Curl up and Dye?"

5. Where does Bill fall asleep at the end of chapter 10?

Short Essay Questions

1. What offer does Ronny Lawton make to Bill over and over about his estranged wife? What is Bill's response?

2. Describe Walter and his profession.

3. Describe what Ronny's estranged wife's boyfriend is like.

4. How does Bill and Ronny Lawton's relationship change from the beginning of the story up to the hostage situation?

5. How do Ed and Sam react when Bill shows them the letter he has deciphered?

6. Describe the secret place Bill takes Ronny Lawton's estranged and her son to after the hostage situation ends.

7. How does Bill react to the puzzle he finds once he has solved it? Explain.

8. How does Linda Carter make Ronny Lawton seem in her television special?

9. Describe how Ronny Lawton's estranged wife's boyfriend met his end.

10. How does Bill feel about his unfolding destiny by the end of the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Darlene is a character that we learn about mostly through other characters. She is portrayed as both confidant and possible villain.

Write an essay exploring what Darlene's true personality is. Is she someone to be trusted? Why or why not? What actions does she take that make her seem one way or another? How does her character impact events throughout the book? Use examples from the novel to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

When Bill, Ed, and Sam agree to go out to the hurricane bunker together they do it for their own motives. The excitement they feel is only temporary. Their feelings change once they realize the seriousness of the situation.

Write an essay that explains why the men wanted to go to the bunker without notifying the authorities. Were their reasons selfish? How did going into the bunker effect the investigation? How did going into the bunker effect the characters? Reference the novel to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

When Bill confronts Ronny Lawton at Denny's after finding his father's head Ronny acts submissive. When he chooses to flee Bill does not stop him.

Write an essay explaining the reasons Bill lets Ronny go without contest. Why is Ronny running in the first place? What does Bill think of Ronny by this point? What made him think this way? Use examples from the novel to support your opinions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 834 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample