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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. In what Ohio city were two young girls murdered by someone resembling Heath?

2. On what day of the week does Fred attempt suicide?

3. From which author does Jeannie provide a quote while making her case to her husband in Chapter 4 of Footsteps and Cantaloupe?

4. Ralph promises Holly that he will believe in the supernatural for how many hours in a row?

5. What color does Jack start to believe his sunburn is starting to take on?

Short Essay Questions

1. What promise does Jeannie elicit from Ralph before he travels to meet the rest of the investigative team?

2. In what way does The Outsider contain commentary about race and culture?

3. What is King's reason for alluding to a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe?

4. Just before Fred loses consciousness, he has a vision. Describe it.

5. What connection does June have to Fred's family tragedy?

6. Who insists on joining the first meeting between Ralph and Holly and why?

7. What characteristic of the corpse lying next to Jack in bed convinces him of its identity?

8. Who provides assistance to Fred at the scene of his attempted suicide?

9. How is the theme of family bonds depicted in the relationship between Lovie Ann and Claude?

10. What comments does Claude make about Claude's overall personality?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Determine King’s message within the novel The Outsider regarding the idea that not every event in the world can be explained in logical terms.

Essay Topic 2

Choose an object from The Outsider, such as the glowing eyes of The Outsider, the tattoos on Claude’s hands, or some other symbolic object and discuss its overall meaning and its connection to themes within the text.

Essay Topic 3

Trace the characterization arc of Ralph’s character throughout the novel The Outsider. Discuss whether Ralph is a round or flat character and whether he is a static or dynamic character.

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