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 movie is Jeremy obsessed with when he meets Lila for the first time?

2. Why does Joe have to see his mother up at the Mower County Courthouse?

3. What did Carl do during the trail that was considered unusual?

4. Where did Carl get the scar on his neck?

5. Why might Carl have been treated badly by other prisoners while he served his time?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Joe resolve his guilt of leaving Jeremy with his mother and Larry?

2. Why is Carl's request for a speedy trial something that his defense considered unusual?

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

4. Why does Crystal refer to Carl as "Creepy Carl" in her diary?

5. How does Joe use Carl's case to get to know Lila better?

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

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

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

9. What crime was Carl Iverson convicted of committing?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Carl Iverson and Joe Talbert assume quite a bit about each other when they first meet. What are some of the assumptions and judgements they make about one another? How does Joe feel about Carl in the beginning? How does Carl feel about Joe? What might make them change their minds about each other?

Essay Topic 3

Lila Nash comes to Joe Talbert's house one night for a spaghetti dinner. While she is there they argue about Carl Iverson and if he will tell the truth to Joe when it comes to Crystal Hagen's murder. Lila seems intent on arguing with everything Joe says. How is their argument about Carl a metaphor for their relationship at the moment? How does Lila try to stop Joe from wanting to get to know her? Does it work? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 916 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample