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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. What prevented the boat from floating alongside Joe's grandfather?

2. Who did Crystal meet with at school on the day of her death?

3. What puzzle does Carl direct Joe to take a look at?

4. Why is Virgil so convinced that Carl did not kill Crystal?

5. What disorder does Joe's mother suffer from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Carl require from Joe if he is going to allow him to know and write his life story?

2. What does Mrs. Tate, the school counselor, tell Crystal on the day she is killed?

3. What does Joe's mother say that she knows will cause Joe to feel guilty?

4. What do we learn about Joe's temperment when he confronts Larry and his mother?

5. What is the purpose of Carl's "dying declaration"?

6. Virgil accuses Joe of using Carl. Is this true?

7. Why did Joe step into a bar for the first time when he was ten years old?

8. How did Carl save Virgil's life in Vietnam?

9. Why does Jeremy look to the corners of the room when Joe is talking to him?

10. Carl and Joe make some big assumptions about each other during their first meeting. What does Carl assume about Joe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapters 18 and 19 discuss Carl's trial. Is it possible that Carl wanted to go to prison? What evidence is there that might make it look this way? Is there more to learn about Carl than has already been presented? What might he still be hiding from Joe?

Essay Topic 2

Carl makes one more confession in Chapter 31. What does he confess to Joe and how does Joe feel about the confession? In Chapter 6 Carl tells Joe that there is a difference between killing and murdering, then says, "I've done both. I've killed . . . and I've murdered" (44). Explain his comment in light of Carl's final confession.

Essay Topic 3

Joe Talbert's mother always seems to be able to get Joe to do what she wants, even when he knows it will be a detriment to himself. How does Joe's mother manipulate him into doing what she wants? What does she use against him that causes him to give in to her time and again? Is Joe really a victim of his mother's behavior, or does he gain something from forgiving her for her issues?

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This section contains 937 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample