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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 does Douglas feel about the trolley being retired?

2. Where do Miss Fern and Miss Roberta hide?

3. Which of the following characters believes that a sandwich outdoors tastes different from indoors?

4. What does mother call the specter of death?

5. What rite does Douglas perform on the third day of summer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the beating of the rugs symbolize to Douglas and Tom both?

2. How does Douglas convince the shoe store owner to give him the new shoes and how does this process help the shoe store owner himself?

3. How and why is Colonel Freeleigh a real time machine, though not a mechanical contraption?

4. Why does Douglas' Grandfather become so upset at the idea of his neighbor replacing his grass with some that does not grow as fast?

5. What brings Douglas comfort after so many things that he loves have all changed and ended at once?

6. What portion of this section of the novel is the best example of the division between the elderly and the young?

7. Which brother seems more like the father and in what way do they seem to be the same?

8. What is the overall tone of the opening of this novel and why do you believe that is the case?

9. Why is Frank confused at the message that Douglas gives to him to relay to his sisters?

10. Why does Lena become reduced to tears after she uses the Happiness Machine that Leo built?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you believe Douglas is the only child disturbed by the events of the Lonely One's last murder? What do you think the purpose of including such a character in the novel was? Do you believe the character was developed enough, too much or not enough? Support your answer with information from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Some might say that by acknowledging that some day he will die leads to Douglas almost facing death by becoming very ill. Explain why this statement might be accurate and why it might be inaccurate. Use specific examples from the novel to support your explanations.

Essay Topic 3

How is the theme of tradition versus change developed throughout the novel? Use specific examples from the text to support your statements. Do you believe the author does a good job at developing this theme? Why or why not?

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