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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 David Gentiles tell Don when he visits?

2. How many ambulances came to the accident scene?

3. What types of singing does Don hear in heaven?

4. Why is Don on the verge of death again six days after the accident?

5. Why did guards call for help after Don's accident?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Don hear as he draws closer to the gate?

2. What happens to Don on a daily or basis that leaves him in pain and exhausted?

3. How does Don feel about being in heaven?

4. What does Don see when he first arrives in heaven?

5. Why does Eva decide to limit the number of visitors Don sees a day?

6. What does Jay Perkins tell Don about his independent attitude?

7. Where does Don go after he leaves the accident scene?

8. Why is a justice of the peace called to the scene?

9. What do the EMTs do when they arrive at the accident site and then when they've seen all the victims?

10. Who are some of the people Don sees in heaven?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As Don struggles to process what has happened to him, various people point out that Don must open himself up if he is going to survive. Don must accept the help of others, learn to share his story and adjust to a new way of living his life.

1. Discuss why it might be necessary for Don to open himself up to survive. Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you think everyone needs to learn to accept help from others? Why or why not?

3. What are some of the ways you've seen in the book that Don is adjusting to a new way of life?

Essay Topic 2

Don still struggles with the question of why? He questions why he was in the accident, why he was allowed to glimpse heaven and why he had to come back; in short, he questions everything. Don has no answers to any of his questions. His lack of answers makes writing his story extremely difficult.

1. Why do you think Don still struggles with the why of his whole ordeal? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Why do you think Don might have been allowed to glimpse heaven and then come back? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. Why do you think Don's lack of answers make writing his story difficult?

Essay Topic 3

Most people would have prayed for Don's soul to find a happy home in heaven, not that a dead man would have no internal injuries. In the face of such insurmountable odds, Dick's prayers seem futile and ridiculous.

1. What kind of person do you think Dick is given his actions at the accident site?

2. Do you think if you were in Dick's position you would have done what he did? Why or why not?

3. Do you agree with the last sentence above? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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