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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 Myrtle question Pat about?

2. Where does Pat visit Madeline in Chapter 11?

3. What does Hardesty hint about the plan?

4. What does Pat wonder about Doc?

5. Who supposedly bought the car in Pat's name?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Pat an intelligent character? Support your answer with evidence from the first five chapters.

2. Does Pat find out more about Doc from Lila? Why or why not?

3. What makes Pat realize that he is in serious trouble?

4. Why did Doc steal money from the college?

5. What documents is Doc looking at in Chapter 1?

6. Why is there a tussle between Pat and the woman he was following?

7. After Doc picks Pat up from prison, they stop at a roadhouse diner. What bombshell does Doc drop on Pat at the diner?

8. After the incident with Madeline in the parking lot, what does Doc tell Pat?

9. Is the parole officer good at his job? Use evidence from the story to support your opinion.

10. What does Pat notice about downtown Capitol City?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of violent episodes in the novel, often including the protagonist. Discuss the concept of violence in "Recoil".

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the relationships Pat has with Lila and with Madeline. Use examples from the story to reinforce your opinions.

Essay Topic 3

How is the theme of justice utilized in the story? What are some examples in the novel of when justice prevailed? What are some examples of when justice was not served?

(see the answer keys)

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