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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. How many people in total attend the first meeting of the whole investigative team?

2. Just before losing consciousness, Fred sees a man similar to the man previously seen by whom?

3. How is the person who saves Fred at the scene of his suicide attempt related to him?

4. Who asks Jack to murder a particular member of the investigative team hunting for the Outsider?

5. Claude's boss swears that Claude had been at work on the day of whose death?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what manner did Terry come into contact with The Outsider, ultimately resulting in his indictment for murder?

2. What kinds of supplies does the investigative team purchase at Home Depot?

3. What is June's reason for being confused about her decision to save Fred?

4. What connection does June have to Fred's family tragedy?

5. In what way does The Outsider contain commentary about race and culture?

6. In what way does the motif concerning dreams and visions arise within The Outsider?

7. What does the cantaloupe in Ralph's story symbolize?

8. What finally convinces Jack to do the bidding of the Outsider?

9. How does the motif of dreams enter the narrative in relation to Jack?

10. What is the first sign Jack receives that makes him think his sunburn may be something else entirely?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss King's choice to tell the story of The Outsider using a third person omniscient narrator. What elements of the novel's themes lend themselves to this choice and what are King’s intended effects on the reader?

Essay Topic 2

Trace the characterization arc of Ralph’s character throughout the novel The Outsider. Discuss whether Ralph is a round or flat character and whether he is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss King’s messages about guilt and responsibility within The Outsider. Focus especially on events such as Ralph’s failure to force Terry to wear a bulletproof vest to his arraignment.

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