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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 do Simon's coworkers call him?

2. Who does Simon threaten to kill?

3. Who does Simon talk to at the market?

4. How do Simon and Damon get to San Antonio?

5. What instrument does Doris play?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Simon communicate with Doris without the Colonel's knowledge?

2. Why does Doris tell Simon she can no longer write him?

3. Who smashes Simon's fiddle?

4. Where does Simon stay while in Houston?

5. Why does Colonel Webb scold Doris?

6. Who is Rosillo?

7. Why does Simon buy a ring?

8. How does Doris stand up to Colonel Webb?

9. Who is Lester Pruitt?

10. Why does Simon pretend to be a fruit vendor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay in which you explore the relationship between Simon and his love of music. What does music mean to him? What does he love about playing music? Use evidence from the text as support.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay in which you explore Simon's experience fighting in the war. What does he learn from this experience, about life, war, and himself? Use evidence from the text as support.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing how the author uses characters and behaviors to develop and strengthen the theme of survival.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 416 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample