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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 old is Garrison Dilworth?

2. What did the Outsider attack in Diamond Bar?

3. What did the forest rangers find at Boulder Canyon?

4. What was the only thing Lem realized he was loyal to?

5. What kind of man, according to Aunt Violet didn't exist anywhere in the world?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the purpose behind Yarbeck's creation?

2. Why was it that Lem couldn't tolerate failure?

3. What was the purpose(s) of helping Dr. Keene with his practice?

4. What is the difference in the way Walt perceives the thoughts of the Dog and the Outsider?

5. Why are the agents responsible for monitoring Garrison and Della's conversation hesitant?

6. How was teaching Einstein having a beneficial effect on Nora?

7. Why did Travis buy a Scrabble board?

8. What are the effects of second stage distemper and why does Travis fear it so?

9. Why would the government want a dog with human intelligence?

10. How did the Outsider inspire pity in Travis?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Travis killed the Outsider, do you think it was more an act of revenge or pity? Why? What would you do if you had been Travis? What things that the Outsider does make it seem more human? More animal?

Essay Topic 2

How, throughout the novel has Nora's character evolved? What, in later chapters, makes her seem like a totally different person? How does her character development contrast Travis'?

Essay Topic 3

What kind of character is Vince? In what ways is he predictable? In what ways could he be considered a loose cannon? What does his description of a sterile home say about his personality profile.

(see the answer keys)

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