View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Jo annoyed to learn that her daughter had arrived during the night?

2. What is Daniel's advice to Jo regarding turning Eli in to the police?

3. What does Jo feel after seeing Eli in the library?

4. Jo's daughters feel that she is ________________ which hurts Jo's feelings.

5. What is Daniel reminded of as Jo recounts the events at the police station?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Daniel both relieved and upset when Jo updates him on the police's unwillingness to investigate Eli?

2. How does Jo indicate by her actions in Boston what her intentions with Eli are?

3. How does Jo respond when Daniel wants to know if she planned to have an affair with Eli?

4. What are Jo's reactions after she leaves the police station?

5. Why is Jo almost pleased that Daniel threw the tomato at the wall next to her?

6. What does Jo notice about Cass' physical appearance, and why is she concerned?

7. How does Jo indicate with her actions what she hopes will come from reconnecting with Eli?

8. What assumptions does Jo make about the people in her life after the episode with Eli?

9. Why does Daniel not seem to like Eli?

10. What holiday disaster had Daniel feared, and how did he avoid it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the role of the family in WHILE I WAS GONE. What does it mean for each of the main characters? How does the family evolve in its support of each other?

Essay Topic 2

The flashback portions of the story take place as America is experiencing the hippie generation, the Vietnam War, Woodstock, and drug usage in the late 1960s. Explain the significance of these political and cultural events on the housemates.

Essay Topic 3

Create a character study of Daniel. What are his physical characteristics? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about Daniel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,184 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample