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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. Who is Abbot Driscoll?

2. How does Billy deal with his grief?

3. Who is Dolores' second passenger?

4. What has happened to Billy's wife?

5. From whose perspective is Chapter 2 told?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the theories that people in town have for the cause of the accident?

2. What additional troubles have some of the families endured in the aftermath of the bus crash?

3. What was Billy's personal situation at the time he met Risa?

4. What does Dolores find particularly sad about Billy Ansel?

5. What does Billy admit to thinking about as he follows the school bus on that fateful morning?

6. What is Nichole's opinion of a lawsuit her parents want to pursue?

7. Why is Billy a ghost in his own house?

8. Describe Nichole's new bedroom.

9. What is Mitchell Stephenson's first impression of the town of Sam Dent?

10. What is the reaction of the people in the grandstand when Dolores and Abbott arrive this year?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nichole has suffered through years of sexual abuse from her father. What is her state of mind as a result of the abuse? How does Nichole view the world as a result of what her father has done? Will Nichole ever be able to love and trust anyone in her life?

Essay Topic 2

Billy Ansel was the closest person to the bus accident and never saw it coming. Explain why this situation is an example of irony. Cite at least one other example of irony in the novel and support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Develop a character study of Dolores Driscoll. What are her physical traits? What motivates her? What are her personal characteristics?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 927 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample