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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. How much did the bread sacks Joe lifted at the bakery weigh?

2. How does Joe figure out that he is deaf?

3. Why does Bonham think he is dying?

4. What does Joe weep about for the first time?

5. Why doesn't Joe get tired?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Joe think about guys fighting for liberty?

2. How far does Joe walk to get to the bakery and how much money does he make?

3. Why does Joe wish someone would pick up the phone and what happens when they do?

4. Describe the scene at the rail station when Joe is leaving for the army.

5. As Joe's pain fades some what does he think about and how does he feel about being deaf?

6. What book did Joe read that gave him a nightmare and what was that nightmare?

7. What does Joe think when he thinks of his family and what does he see as the reality?

8. What doesn't Joe understand about being alive?

9. Who does Joe call out to in his nightmare and why?

10. Who is the pilot who comes to Joe's hometown, what does he do and what does the superintendent of schools say about airplanes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

War is one of the most common occurrences in the history of humankind. Discuss one of the following:

1. Analyze how Joe feels about WWI. Are his feelings typical of others in the book? Are his beliefs about the war justifiable? Explain with examples.

2. Does your belief about WWI change as you read this book? What about your beliefs about war in general? Explain with examples from the text and your own experience.

3. Many resources throughout the ages have been used in the pursuit of war-related activities. Does the war in this book justify the loss of life and resources? Why or why not? Does any war justify the same?

Essay Topic 2

Joe Bonham also has to join, and ends up lying in bed, thinking this is no place for him, no war for him, none of his business. What does he care about making the world safe for democracy?

1. Compare Joe's feelings about war and his assertion that it is none of his business with the ideas many Vietnam draftees expressed.

2. Do you think Joe's reaction to war is a common reaction for draftees? Why or why not?

3. The idea that rich, political persons declare war but the common, poor person fights them. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Communication is usually taken for granted by most people. In his very injured state, Joe is unable to communicate for many months. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare and contrast Joe's ways of communication before and after his war injury. In what ways does his personality come through even after he is injured?

2. Discuss how Joe compensates for not being able to communicate. What do you think Joe would have done had he never figured out a way to communicate?

3. When Joe's "captors" realize his views about war, what do they do to keep Joe from communicating? How do you think this would ultimately affect Joe long term?

(see the answer keys)

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