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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. By what nickname does Henning call Tom in the narrative?

2. Where did Balzer wait tables in order to put himself through college?

3. Where did Balzer attend college?

4. Who has assigned Laurie and Meg to Outpost 17?

5. What is Ouch's real name?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you compare Kevin Garvey to the other main characters in the novel?

2. Where are Tom and Christine staying during her pregnancy in Part Four? How is this setting described?

3. What is the significance of the chapter title “A Better-than-Average Girlfriend”?

4. What exchange takes place between Kevin and Laurie Garvey on Christmas Day?

5. How does Christine perceive her unborn child in Part Three? What has led to this perception?

6. How do Nora’s and Kevin’s actions and behaviors differ in Florida from in Mapleton?

7. How does the narrative perspective shift in Part Three?

8. What led Kevin Garvey to run for public office? Has he achieved his objectives in his position?

9. What do Kevin and Jill discuss at Daisy’s Diner in Part Three?

10. What does Jason Falzone symbolize for the Watchers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What was Jill Garvey’s experience in the Sudden Departure? Who did she lose? How did the experience affect her? How does Jill come to terms with her experience?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze the character of Mark Henning in the narrative. How old is Henning? Where do Tom and Christine first meet him? What draws Henning to Tom and Christine? What leads him to his decision to go AWOL? Where does Henning intend to go instead?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Christine’s response to Holy Wayne’s confession and the birth of her baby. Why does Christine refrain from naming the baby? Who cares for the baby after it is born? Why?

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