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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 was Carl not in his wheelchair by the window when Joe came to see him toward the end of the novel?

2. Which person is not a suspect on Joe and Lila's list of possible killers?

3. Who gave Joe and Lila the evidence from Carl's case?

4. Where does Joe awaken after he passes out at Doug's place?

5. What does Joe tell Mr. Rupert his goal is?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Carl do that causes Gibbs to want revenge?

2. What does Carl wish to see before he dies?

3. What do Joe and Lila see when they compare pictures of the fire?

4. What two mistakes does Doug make when he kidnaps Joe?

5. How does Joe and Lila's relationship change in Chapter 39?

6. How does Doug Lockwood incapacitate Joe?

7. What new information does Andrew tell Joe and Lila about the night of September 21st?

8. Why does the local sheriff take Joe to jail instead of home?

9. What does Carl tell Joe about looking into Crystal's murder by himself?

10. What is the rest of Carl's story from Vietnam, specifically, how his and Gibbs' relationship ended?

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

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 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?

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