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. How long does Gary's court process take, including the day for jury selection?

2. Who thinks Gary might have been the trigger man in the gas station murder?

3. Why does the judge adjourn Gary's court case early on the day of the defense's case?

4. Who decides that the answer to #38 is much too young for the responsibility of taking care of children?

5. What does Bessie do to make ends meet, even though she has crippling arthritis?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the nature of Nicole's first marriage.

2. What is one of the first signs in the book that Gary might have feelings for younger girls?

3. What is the coincidence that makes Nicole think she and Gary are somehow connected by the universe when they first meet?

4. Why does Gary contact Brenda as he comes to the end of his jail term in Oregon?

5. Why does Grace McGinnis eventually sever ties with Bessie and her clan?

6. Describe Nicole when she meets Gary as the age of twenty.

7. Who will Gary live with after he gets out of prison?

8. Describe the character of Peter Galovan, a character who emerges in Book 1, Part 3.

9. Describe the state of April, Nicole's sister, when Gary finds her at Nicole's mother's house.

10. Describe how Gary acts as a worker at Vern's shop.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Grace, Gary's apologist, continues to believe he does not deserve to die, that there were other reasons for his actions.

Part 1: Describe the two reasons why Grace thinks Gary may not deserve to be punished.

Part 2: Why would someone like Grace stick up for Gary?

Part 3: If you were in a similar position as Grace, would you have stuck up for Gary? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Several times in the story, Gary gets away with things he has done wrong. This is frustrating for the reader who realizes Gary is tragedy waiting to happen.

Part 1: Why does Gary's parole officer want Gary to get into trouble with the law again?

Part 2: What does Gary's parole office do in order to help Gary avoid jail time?

Part 3: Do you think Gary's parole office shares responsibility for the murders? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The control Gary seems to have over Nicole affects not only her, but also him. He seems consumed by her at times.

Part 1: Why do you think Gary manipulated Nicole into trying to take her life?

Part 2: Why do you think Gary and Nicole continue to stay with each other?

Part 3: In what ways does Nicole have control over Gary?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 700 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample