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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 is the upcoming holiday in Chapter 10?

2. What does Jo not mention when talking to Sadie about Jo's history?

3. Eli has told the police that Jo squealed on him because ______________________.

4. Where does Jo have lunch with her mother?

5. What decision has Jo made in Chapter 13?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Jo's thoughts about Eli after they had coffee together?

2. Describe the setting in which Eli killed Dana.

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

4. How has Jo's secret meeting with Eli damaged her relationship with Daniel?

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

6. What are Jo's thoughts as she drives to Cambridge to report Eli to the police?

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

8. Why does Daniel not seem to like Eli?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses some important instances of foreshadowing in the story. Explain what foreshadowing is and cite at least two examples making sure to explain what makes each an example of foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 2

Substance abuse seems to be an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the abuse? Why does it have such a prevalent place in the characters' lives? How does it affect the abusers? How does it affect those impacted by the abusers? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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