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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 kind of car does Francis drive?

2. In the area of money, how have the Corcorans treated their son Bunny?

3. What does Richard learn causes his aches and pains upon waking in the cold warehouse?

4. What does Bunny leave in Richard's mailbox before he leaves for winter break?

5. What are the two things Richard and his parents always fight about?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who rescues Richard and nurses him back to health? How do these two people get along with each other? What are some of the things Richard learns about his Greek classmates during his recuperation? Why are these things important for Richard?

2. Richard engages in risky behavior for winter living, and his life begins to deteriorate. Why does this happen to Richard? Is he aware of the dangerous living situation he is in? Why does Richard refuse to ask for help?

3. In Chapter 4, Henry asks Richard a serious question before telling him about the murder of the farmer. What does he ask, what does he mean by this question, and what has Richard been covering up?

4. What does Richard find when he borrows a key and enters Henry's apartment? What clues does he put together about the activities of the past few days?

5. From whom does Richard get the extra money he needs to implement his plan to impress Prof. Morrow and the Greeks studies students? What does the lender think Richard is going to do with the money? What does Richard actually do with the money?

6. Who is Judy Poovey? Where does Richard speak to her about Henry? What does Judy tell him about his new friend?

7. How does Bunny die? What part do the group members have in his death?

8. How does Bunny treat Richard during the weekend at Francis' house in the country? What important information about Richard becomes obvious to the group?

9. Who is dead at the opening of the book? Why does the author begin his story this way? What do we know about the dead boy in the opening paragraphs of the book?

10. How and why does Richard end up at Hampden College? How does he get to the college from his home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While talking to Richard, Julian makes the statement "with young people, you never can tell." What does this expression mean about young people in general and the characters in this novel specifically?

Essay Topic 2

In this novel, we are told in the opening sentence Bunny is dead. Yet, the author creates suspense and rising action. Discuss the techniques the author uses to keep the reader engaged in the plot.

Essay Topic 3

There were a great number of clues visible to Bunny concerning his fate. What character flaws does Bunny have that prevents him from being able to see the plot of his own demise? Discuss.

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