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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. Bill's father was what in his youth?

2. When Bill arrives at Ed's house for dinner what state is he in?

3. What type of pills does Bill often take throughout the story?

4. What type of home does Bill live in?

5. What level of sophistication is Bill supposed to write for?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ronny react when Bill shows up and plays music at his work?

2. Describe what Bill's town was like before all of the factories shut down.

3. List some of the features offered at the Florida retirement community Sam contemplates in chapter 9.

4. Describe Bill's mother.

5. List some of the negative ways Ronny Lawton's estranged treats her child.

6. Describe Ronny Lawton's estranged wife.

7. What are some of the questions Ronny's estranged wife asks Bill when she calls him in chapter 10?

8. List some of the signs that give evidence to Ed and his illness.

9. Why does the town collectively feel that Ronny Lawton killed his father for sure?

10. Describe how Bill reacted right after his fathers death.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bill feels a great sense of freedom after he, Teri, and Lucas leave the cottage in the woods. For the first time in a long time there is some semblance of peace in his mind.

Write an essay exploring how Bill feels about his new found sense of release. What is his lookout on the future? Is he happy, scared, excited, or something else? What is he going to do now that he is free from the shadow of his mansion and past? Who is he taking with him? Reference the novel to support your opinions.

Essay Topic 2

When Bill, Ed, and Sam agree to go out to the hurricane bunker together they do it for their own motives. The excitement they feel is only temporary. Their feelings change once they realize the seriousness of the situation.

Write an essay that explains why the men wanted to go to the bunker without notifying the authorities. Were their reasons selfish? How did going into the bunker effect the investigation? How did going into the bunker effect the characters? Reference the novel to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

When Ronny Lawton takes Teri and Lucas hostage he does it after coming back into town and killing Karl. Up until this point there is no concrete proof that Ronny is guilty of anything.

Write an essay explaining why Ronny Lawton takes such drastic actions after coming back into town. What has driven him to this point? Does him killing Karl and taking hostages prove anything about his innocence in other matters? Why or why not? Use examples from the novel to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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