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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 Jimmy do backstage that angers Oskar in Heavy Boots - Heavier Boots?

2. In which borough does Aaron Black live?

3. Where does Grandma secretly spy on Thomas in My Feelings?

4. What question does Oskar ask his mother about Ron in Googolplex?

5. What does Oskar always say in response to Grandma calling his name?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of the storage unit in The Only Animal?

2. How does Grandma begin to alienate Thomas Schell in My Feelings?

3. Describe Oskar's argument with his mother in Heavy Boots - Heavier Boots.

4. What does Oskar do with the key in this chapter?

5. How does Grandma convince Thomas to marry her in My Feelings?

6. What suggestion does Grandma make to Thomas about their relationship in My Feelings?

7. When does Grandma first see Thomas in Dresden?

8. Describe Thomas Schell's first meeting with his future wife?

9. Describe Oskar's first stop on his quest.

10. What surprise awaits Grandma the day of her son's funeral?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The three central characters of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close have all lost someone key to their lives and are painfully lost and isolated as a result. Write an essay about each of their isolation. What is missing from their lives since the loss? How do they deal with this pain on a day to day basis, and what emotions pervade as a result? Who attempts to reach out to them and how do they respond?

Part 1) Thomas Schell, Sr.

Part 2) Grandma.

Part 3) Oskar Schell.

Essay Topic 2

In many ways, a deceased parent will always seem more attractive to the a child sees and argues with every day. Write an essay comparing Thomas Schell, Jr., and Mom, based on Oskar's attitudes toward them. How does Oskar's impression of Mom suffer as a result of Thomas's death? What resentment does he develop towards her, and how does it manifest itself? Conversely, how does Oskar remember Thomas? Do you think that his image of his father has grown unfairly perfect in memory?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the role that the past plays in defining the present in the novel. How is every major character in the novel a product of past that they may or may not know? To what extent are Grandma and Thomas Schell, Sr., the keepers of this history? Why do they choose not to explicate this history to the younger generations of the novel? In the end, how does the younger generation, as represented by Oskar, discover the reality of its roots through accidental contact with the older?

(see the answer keys)

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