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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. What does a billy-bumbler look like as described in Chapter 7?

2. What is the name of the bookstore Jake visits in Chapters 12-13?

3. What animal is features in the poem Jake reads on a sign in Chapter 16?

4. What does Eddie draw in the dirt at the speaking ring in Chapter 25?

5. Why does Jake turn on his father in Chapter 17?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the demon help Jake enter Roland's world in Chapter 41?

2. What terrible tragedy took place in Eddie's family that caused his mother to encourage Henry to be Eddie's constant guardian?

3. What is cruel about the way Roland inspires Susannah to learn to shoot properly?

4. Roland is distracted in the first chapter. What does he tell Susannah is causing this distraction?

5. How many things happen to Jake in Chapters 16-23 that also happened in Roland's world?

6. Where does Roland tell Susannah to shoot the bear?

7. What noise causes Susannah and Roland to rush back to their camp?

8. What impression does Jake get from the empty lot where Tom and Gerry's Artistic Deli once stood?

9. Who does Jake meet in Chapter 20? To where does Jake follow this character?

10. Who does Jake meet in his dreams in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Roland's world to the New York of Jake's time. Compare and contrast the New York of Eddie's time with the New York of Jake's time. What differences are there? How are they similar? Why do you think the author chose to make New York City the home of Jake, Eddie, and Susannah? How different is that city to each of the three characters? Do you think the setting of New York City will be important to the developing plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of these themes in detail, using examples from the novel to support your conclusions:

1) Dreams

2) Surreality

3) Friendship

4) Family

5) Bravery.

Essay Topic 3

What is ka-tet? Who is a part of this ka-tet? Can each member of the ka-tet read one another's thoughts as Roland suggests they should? What is a palaver? Why does Roland insist that he and his friends participate in this tradition? What does it do to help the group? What does Roland learn during one of these palavers? What do the others learn about Roland during the palaver? Why does Roland refuse to talk about his past? Is Roland being hypocritical by refusing to talk about his own past while encouraging the others to talk about theirs?

(see the answer keys)

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