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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 else knows about Ronny's estranged wife's rape?

2. What does Bill find spread all throughout Sam's house when he goes to check up on him?

3. Who is taken hostage in chapter 15?

4. Why is Ronny Lawton not in town at the beginning of chapter 13?

5. Who calls Bill at the beginning of chapter 14 and wants him to come in for questioning?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Ed and Sam react when Bill shows them the letter he has deciphered?

2. How does Bill and Ronny Lawton's relationship change from the beginning of the story up to the hostage situation?

3. Describe the secret place Bill takes Ronny Lawton's estranged and her son to after the hostage situation ends.

4. Describe how Ronny Lawton's estranged wife's boyfriend met his end.

5. How is Bill treated when he is taken in for questioning about Ronny Lawton's disappearance?

6. Describe Walter and his profession.

7. How does Linda Carter make Ronny Lawton seem in her television special?

8. What offer does Ronny Lawton make to Bill over and over about his estranged wife? What is Bill's response?

9. How does Bill react to the puzzle he finds once he has solved it? Explain.

10. List the items Bill is instructed to bring to Ronny during the beginning of the hostage situation in chapter 15.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Teri is a source of continued distraction for Bill. He knows he shouldn't want to be around her, she is only interested in his money. Yet he never stops wanting to be near her.

Write an essay exploring the dynamic of Bill and Teri's relationship. Does Bill really think that Teri will stay with him? Does he even care if she does not? What does Teri want to get from Bill? Is their relationship one that will last long term? Why or why not? Reference the novel to support your argument.

Essay Topic 2

Darlene is a character that we learn about mostly through other characters. She is portrayed as both confidant and possible villain.

Write an essay exploring what Darlene's true personality is. Is she someone to be trusted? Why or why not? What actions does she take that make her seem one way or another? How does her character impact events throughout the book? Use examples from the novel to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Ronny Lawton's father's body is never found. Bill knows it exists somewhere, and he can't ignore that fact.

Write an essay exploring Bill's ideas of extinction and evolution in the context of the story. How does he view the conclusion to the Ronny Lawton case? What do his ideas of extinction and evolution have to do with it? How does he tie these ideas in to the closing of the factories? Reference the novel to support your points.

(see the answer keys)

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