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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 Dave think the parents at the Little League games wonder about him and Toph?

2. What does the nurse suggest Dave uses to stop the bleeding?

3. What do Dave and Toph eat when they watch videos?

4. Who goes with Toph to his Little League games?

5. Where did Beth and Dave promise not to take their mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Dave like telling people why he has to look after Toph?

2. What problems do Toph and Dave have living together?

3. What does Dave do when he gets lonely in Chapter 5?

4. How do the police deal with Dave's stolen wallet in Chapter 5?

5. What does Dave think about as he holds ice to his mother's nose?

6. What problems does Dave have cooking?

7. Summarize Chapter 4.

8. Describe Dave's father's funeral.

9. How does Dave's disorganization affect Toph?

10. Why does Dave call a nurse rather than take his mother to the hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the book.

1) Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's ideas?

2) Examine the way Eggers uses other people in the story to express his ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following options and discuss how illness affected that particular area in Eggers' life.

1) Work

2) Social life

3) Intimate relationships

4) Family

Essay Topic 3

Examine Dave's relationship with Toph.

1) In what way is Dave in danger of smothering his younger brother?

2) In what way does Dave need Toph as much as Toph needs him?

(see the answer keys)

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