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. What does Carl demand from Joe if he wants him to tell his story?

2. What is the name of Carl Iverson's nursing home?

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

4. What state does the story take place in?

5. What is the name of Crystal's boyfriend?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does the author describe Crystal Hagen?

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

6. How does Joe end up interviewing Carl Iverson?

7. In Chapter 4, Joe finds a photograph of Carl Iverson being taken into custody. What does he see when he looks at Carl's face in the photo?

8. Why does Joe Talbert visit Hillview Manor at the beginning of the book?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Joe finally becomes the person responsible for Jeremy, he does not view it in the same negative way he did at the beginning of the story. Why has Joe's outlook changed? How has his involvement with Carl changed the way he looks at life? How does Joe feel about taking care of Jeremy now?

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

Chapters 33 - 37 deal with Joe's kidnap and escape. What do we learn about Joe during his ordeal? What does he learn about himself? How might Joe have acquired the skills he needed to save himself? In what ways has Joe's character changed as a result of the ordeal?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 871 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample