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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 Ronny's estranged spank her son in chapter 11?

2. Who threatens Bill in chapter 14?

3. Who does Bill go to see at the end of chapter 12?

4. What liquid does Ronny's estranged mix into her food in chapter 11?

5. What arcade game is being played at the end of Chapter 18?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does Lucas get treated when he misbehaves in chapter 10? What does he do wrong?

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

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

7. What things do Bill, Ronny, and the hostages do during the stand off?

8. Explain what Walter thinks of the Ronny Lawton situation.

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

10. Describe the puzzle that is left for Bill on his doorstep.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Bill has difficult psychological challenges to endure, especially in connection with women.

Write an essay that explains which women he focuses on, how he interacts with them, what they want from him, and why. Will any of these relationships last? Why or why not? Be sure the explain whether unrequited love and obsession factor into Bill's personality and what that tells the reader about Bill's character. Provide examples from 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)

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