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. When does Grant teach the children?

2. Which day of the week is a sad day?

3. Who is the young African American man at the center of the trial?

4. The reverend asks Grant if it would be appropriate to take a ________ when his visits Jefferson. Grant agrees.

5. Where did the men in #3 end up going?

Short Essay Questions

1. Vivian takes Grant to her home, but Grant protests this. Why does he protest this action?

2. When Grant sees the deliverymen joking with each other like his students do, what does he wonder?

3. What is the recurring dream that Jefferson records in his journal?

4. What is the result of the belated meeting at Pichot's house?

5. What happens when Grant asks Vivian what would happen if someone on the school staff saw what she had written on her blackboard?

6. Who is the person who gets into trouble when offered a ride to the White Rabbit Bar and Lounge?

7. What does Jefferson offer to Bonin as he is preparing for his death?

8. To whom does Grant dedicate the Christmas program at his school?

9. What does Grant tell Jefferson about the execution?

10. When does Grant realize that Jefferson has died?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the beginning of this novel, the narrator is unknown to the reader. Why do you think this was done? Do you think this added to or took away from the manuscript? When the reader finds out that the narrator is Grant Wiggins, does this change the perception of the story?

Essay Topic 2

The notebook is something Grant and Jefferson share in their visits toward the end. How do you think this journal helps Jefferson? How does this help Grant? If the notebook had been given to Jefferson earlier in his jail stay, do you think it would have helped him move through his anger more easily? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Jefferson's execution date is set after a long series of discussions about how the Catholics would like their Lenten and Easter season interrupted. What do you think would have happened if the date had been shared with the other execution? Do you think it would have mattered if the execution date was too close to Easter? Why do you think the author made this an issue of the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 610 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample