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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 David buy with his money?

2. What does David fear is in the bundle left by the man?

3. What did Johannes teach David about saying thank you?

4. What does David choose in Chapter Three?

5. When does David travel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does David force himself not to think?

2. What happens to David's clothes, and what is the result of this? How does he feel?

3. Why was crossing the road, a dangerous task, a type of turning point for David?

4. Describe how David saves Maria from the fire.

5. Explain how David comes to choose a God, and why.

6. Why does David decide, as he runs during his escape, to stop running and instead to walk?

7. Explain why David's eating of the orange forced him to consider going into town.

8. Explain why David decides to stay with the family, when asked.

9. Explain why David knows so little of himself, including where he is from, and what he looks like.

10. Explain why David is afraid to attempt to hitchhike.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel there is reference to David's eyes. This is later linked in the novel to the eyes of Edith, his mother. Explain what people see when they look into David's eyes, in terms of why they find his eyes do unique. What in David's life has led him to show the expression in his eyes that he shows? Why does his mother have the same eyes? How does the author use this to link not only their genetics, but their experiences?

Essay Topic 2

In the novel, there is constant contrast between the life David has led, and the life of the more privileged in society. Compare and contrast David's life with the life of others, making sure to touch on concepts such as freedom, choice, materialism, education, and self identity.

Essay Topic 3

There are many references in the novel to the power of "them", without actual description of who "they" really are. Choose three instances where the author gives information about "them", and explain the reference in detail. What is said about "them"? What does the reference indicate about who "they" might be? How does the author use these vague descriptions to impose a feeling of unfocused dread?

(see the answer keys)

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