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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 the non-italicized section of Chapter 7, what does the agent say Bobby is under investigation for?

2. In the non-italicized section of Chapter 6, where was Kline born?

3. In the italicized section of Chapter 7, what is the dummy made out of?

4. In the italicized section of Chapter 5, what makes the girl flush her meds down the toilet?

5. What is another of Bobby's nicknames for John?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the IRS agent at the post office say is the reason for the IRS becoming involved in Bobby's life?

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

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

4. What is in the trunk that the Kid brings into the girl's room?

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

6. One night while Bobby is in Wartburg, Bobby mentions Alice's papers. Who is Alice? What happened to her?

7. Over the winter, Bobby has a dream of a doctor and a nurse showing him something and asking if Bobby wants to show that something to her. What is the thing that they are discussing and who is the "her"?

8. What cathartic exclamations does Bobby make at the end of his visit with the person who comes to visit Bobby while Bobby is living alone in a shack by the beach?

9. In the italicized section of Chapter 5, what does the Kid tell the girl about math and reality before she goes to bed?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think of Kline as a character? How is Kline a foil for John Sheddan? What aspect of the author does Kline represent?

Essay Topic 2

What is the mystery of the downed plane? Does it get solved to any degree of satisfaction? Why does the author add this element to the story? How does an unsolved mystery with a myriad of loose ends reinforce the theme of disorientation? How do a mystery with no end and no visible linear arc connect to the rest of Bobby's life?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the Thalidomide Kid. Write about him as if you are explaining him and his character to someone who has not read the book. What are the Kid's important aspects? What are the important things to know about the Kid in order to understand his essence as it relates to the book?

(see the answer keys)

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