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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. In Chapter 17, when Paul asks Spenser why he cannot just leave him alone, what is Spenser's answer?

2. What does Spenser need to learn more than anything else if he is to survive?

3. Where does Spenser catch a ride to in Chapter 13?

4. While Spenser and Paul are working in Chapter 22, who goes to the cabin?

5. Besides the man sitting at the desk, who else is in the building that Paul and Spenser visit in Chapter 25?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 21 we are able to see how Paul is growing both physically and emotionally. How has he grown?

2. Why does Spenser decide to take Paul to Fryeburg and build a cabin?

3. Why does Spenser feel that teaching Paul to box and weight lift is important?

4. Why does Spenser send Paul and Patty to Susan's house in Chapter 13?

5. What type of character is Harry Cotton?

6. What is Susan's opinion about Spenser keeping Paul?

7. In Chapter 17, Paul asks Spenser why he cannot simply leave him alone. Spenser replies that he cannot leave him alone because everyone in his life has left him alone and it has not done him any good. He also tells Paul that his goal is to help him become a better person. What does Spenser mean by that?

8. Is Spenser's plan to blackmail the Giacomins in order to make them pay for Paul's education and living expenses, as well as staying away from him a good plan? Why? Why not?

9. What is the lesson that Spenser is trying to teach Paul via the two of them building the cabin together with their own hands instead of hiring someone else to do it or using machinery?

10. Is Spenser's evaluation of Susan's attitude in Chapter 23 an accurate one? Why? Why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Spenser is the protagonist (hero, good guy) of the story. He is a complex character with many personality aspects who makes some very tough decisions throughout the book. What makes Spenser the hero of the story, even though he makes some decisions which could be viewed as morally problematic? Use instances from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the major characters in this book (Spenser, Susan, Patty, Mel, or Paul). Choose one specific situation out of the book and explain what and how you would have changed it. For instance, if you choose Patty in Chapter 1 where she hires Spenser, what would you change about that situation? Would you hire a private investigator as she did, or would you perhaps go to the police, to try to solve the problem yourself? Use instances from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Another major theme of this story is that of personal responsibility. Explore the idea of personal responsibility as it relates to each major character (Spenser, Susan, Patty, Mel, and Paul). How does each character feel about personal responsibility? How do they demonstrate those beliefs? Use instances from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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