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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 does Bill think is a major weak point of his?

2. Who threatens Bill in chapter 14?

3. What liquid does Ronny's estranged mix into her food in chapter 11?

4. For how many hours does Bill sleep at the beginning of chapter 10?

5. What are Ronny's estranged and her son doing when Bill arrives in chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the puzzle that is left for Bill on his doorstep.

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

3. Describe Walter and his profession.

4. How did Bill feel after finding Sam dead in his home? Why?

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

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

7. How does Lucas get treated when he misbehaves in chapter 10? What does he do wrong?

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

9. Describe what Ronny's estranged wife's boyfriend is like.

10. How does Bill feel when he goes to Darlene's shop and is confronted by the female driven world that she and her customers live in?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Bill has difficult psychological challenges to endure, especially in connection with women.

Write an essay that explains which women he focuses on, how he interacts with them, what they want from him, and why. Will any of these relationships last? Why or why not? Be sure the explain whether unrequited love and obsession factor into Bill's personality and what that tells the reader about Bill's character. Provide examples from the novel to support your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Bill lets himself be taken hostage by Ronny Lawton. He does not struggle or try to escape when tied up. He even goes as far as to warn Ronny about the poisoned food the FBI gives him.

Write an essay explaining why Bill helps Ronny even though he is being held hostage by him. What are the reasons behind his actions? How does he feel about the situation as a whole? Is he angry, sad, annoyed, or something else? Reference the novel to support your argument.

(see the answer keys)

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