1. What does Ben want from his teachers in his senior year, what teacher is going to be a problem with his goal, and why might the teacher be an impediment?

2. What does Dallas ask Ben when he sees her after the Horseshoe Bend game and what does she tell him?

3. What does Ben do about the Horseshoe Bend game, and why?

4. How does Lambeer find out what Ben is reading and what does he say about it?

5. What sport does Ben try out for, and what do the other players think about him playing that sport?

6. What does Ben find when he stops at Rudy's and what does Ben find out there? What does Rudy show him?

7. What do they find out on the day of the Horseshoe Bend game, and how will this information affect the game?

8. What is happening to Ben in Lambeer's class, what project does Ben decide upon and what is Lambeer's opinion of the project?

9. How does Ben find out he might have a serious physical illness, and how does Ben insist he learn about this illness?

10. What does Hey-Soos say to Ben about Dallas's sharing, and why is Ben worried?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ben is learning how to cope with this new situation, trying to define the proper time to let the truth out, and he is trying to understand those around him. In this chapter, he seems to have found himself. With confidence, he turns away the new therapist and stands up to his teacher. He does it respectfully and with a solid plan. Ben shows that he is listening to Hey-Soos and is willing to look at people from a different perspective.

1. Do you think Ben would have acquired his confidence if he had not been dying? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. What do you think Ben has learned about the people around him by listening to them and talking about them to Hey-Soos? How has his situation enabled him to look at people differently? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Ben is trying to figure out when and how to tell people about his illness. Dallas reacts in anger. Why do you think Dallas gets angry at him and do you think she should forgive him automatically because he is dying? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Deadline" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Ben and Cody. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Ben and Sooner. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Deadline" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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