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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 is Richard's profession?

2. Over what body of water does Richard paraglide?

3. What large item does Richard ask Dickie to recall?

4. What does Richard do with the book?

5. Richard recalls meeting a woman who could _________________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Richard tell Dickie are the two things necessary to get through life?

2. Describe Dickie's sense of accomplishment in the water tower incident.

3. When does Richard feel as if he has a connection with Dickie and what role has Dickie played in Richard's life?

4. What is the first real bonding experience between Richard and Dickie?

5. What is Richard's memory of the water tower?

6. What is Richard's pattern for dealing with life's challenges, and how can Dickie possibly help him in this area?

7. Describe the time that a woman came to Richard and started discussing his thoughts.

8. When Leslie prods him, what memories does Richard recall that might be the source of Dickie's anger?

9. What is the purpose of different people coming into Richard's life?

10. What role do angels play in Richard's life?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Project into the future ten years after the end of the book and write a brief synopsis for the main characters' lives. Will Dickie still be such a presence in Richard's life? What will Richard be doing? Will Dickie age at all or will he be eternally nine years old?

Essay Topic 2

Spirituality takes on an almost human persona in this book. What was the source of the religious beliefs? How pervasive were the religious beliefs? Why is Richard considered to be more spiritual than religious? What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

Essay Topic 3

The theme of struggling with personal identity was an important one in this book. Describe how it extends through setting, character and issues and provide examples for each.

(see the answer keys)

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