1. Contents of a Dead Man’s Pocket
Get out a blank sheet of paper for some pre-writing and brainstorming. This will go in the “Notes” section
of your binder.

2. Do agree or disagree with the following statements? Why or why not?
What people do for work is the most important part of their lives.
We all struggle when making decisions.
An action we take today will not have much effect on our lives in the future.
People should take risks in their lives.
Competition helps people perform their best.

3. Would you risk your life?
In what kinds of jobs is it routine to risk one’s life, and why are some people attracted to these jobs?

4. Before computers?
In the 1950’s, when the story takes place, there were no computers or photocopiers. To make copies, people used carbon paper—black-coated sheets that transferred written or typed marks onto the black paper below. Without a carbon copy, a lost document might be gone forever—a possibility the main character in this story dreads.