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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. To whom does Bobby try writing letters during the winter while he is on leave from New Orleans?

2. In the non-italicized section of Chapter 5, what does John say that men truly seek?

3. In the non-italicized section of Chapter 6, what is Bobby doing in Paris?

4. In the non-italicized section of Chapter 7, who does Bobby visit with when he visits the hospital?

5. In the italicized section of Chapter 7, who does the girl say made the dummy's suit?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Bobby go to live for the winter after having his conversation with Kline about Bobby getting on with his life?

2. In the opening of the non-italicized section of Chapter 6, where is Bobby and what is he doing?

3. What happens to Bobby when goes to the jack-up rig?

4. After recounting his time in Eastern State, why does John say that he is somewhat reluctant about Tulsa being back in his life?

5. In the italicized section of Chapter 5, why does Bobby change his major from math to physics?

6. Who does Bobby meet after talking to the guys in suits again?

7. What does Kline think is happening to Bobby in regard to Bobby doing dumb things?

8. What does the IRS do to Bobby?

9. What is Bobby's response to the IRS agent at the post office?

10. After Bobby returns from Tucson and meets up with Kline, why does Bobby say that he cannot get on with his life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the main themes of the story? How does the author set up and continue the discussion of those themes throughout the book?

Essay Topic 2

Why does the author include a lengthy section of conversation about math and physics? What is your experience reading this section? Does it have a connection to the rest of the story? What do you get out of reading a conversation like that, that is difficult for a lot of people to understand?

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think the author chooses to make Bobby's father one of the makers of the atomic bomb? How does this affect Bobby and Alicia? What is the difference in comprehensibility between a tragedy like the atomic bomb being dropped and the tragedy of losing one person in life when that person is the most deeply loved person in life?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 743 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample