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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 Jo write a letter of apology in Chapter 14?

2. Eli says that while living in the group house he felt __________________.

3. Why did Eli attack Dana with the knife?

4. In what year was Dana killed?

5. At dinner, Daniel gets more and more irritated when Eli asks questions about ________________.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How did Eli and Dana's relationship begin and what did Eli get Dana to agree to in a year?

3. How does Jo not pick up on why Daniel is upset with her after she meets Eli?

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

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

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

7. How do Eli's and Jo's perceptions of life in the group home differ?

8. How does the police detective respond when Jo tells him of Eli's murder confession?

9. Are Jo's concerns for Cass' welfare particularly painful because Jo lived a similar lifestyle in her youth?

10. Describe the pleasant evening Eli and Jean spend at Jo and Daniel's holiday party.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

WHILE I WAS GONE is a classic story of loss and renewal. What does that classification entail? Why does this book fit into this category? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The theme of struggling with personal identity is an important one in this novel. Describe how it extends through setting, character, and issues. Provide examples for each.

Essay Topic 3

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of deception. Identify at least two themes about deception in the book. Then cite an example to support each theme you name.

(see the answer keys)

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