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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 Vernon think is the most important thing in his life?

2. Which of the following hotel does Vernon want to find in Acapulco?

3. What kind of person does Dr. Oliver Goosens label Vernon?

4. What method does the judge want to use to kill Vernon?

5. What does Vernon speak to the priest about?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Taylor's life changed since Vernon's trial?

2. How does Lally want to change public executions?

3. What telephone calls does Vernon make on the day of his execution?

4. What does Vernon do in the San Antonio bus station?

5. What does Vernon's lawyer say in Vernon's defense?

6. What does Vernon think about as he dozes?

7. How has the prison psychologist helped Vernon?

8. Why does Vernon think the village looks like something out of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC?

9. Why does International Bridge look like a Spielberg set?

10. What does Vernon's mom tell him on the phone in Chapter 25?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose two of the following people and outline their influence on Vernon's life:

1. His mother.

2. Jesus.

3. Taylor.

4. Lally.

Essay Topic 2

Why are a person's teenage years supposed to be so difficult? How much was Jesus' reaction to the bullying because of his sensitive age? In what way does Vernon's young age become a joke in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Aside from the main character, examine the way the author uses the other characters in the book. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

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