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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Pop dislike Bump Bailey?
(a) Because Bump threw a major game.
(b) Because Bump wants his coaching job.
(c) Because Bump can't play well.
(d) Because of his locker room jokes and his love of Pop's niece.

2. How do Roy teammates on the Knights treat him?
(a) They tell the coach lies about him.
(b) They pretty much ignore him.
(c) The pull practical jokes and hide his basson case with his bat.
(d) They ask him for advice when he hits well.

3. How does Roy feel about playing for the Knights when he first puts on his baseball cap for them?
(a) He wants to play for at least 10 years.
(b) He wants to run away for good.
(c) He is nervous that he might mess up.
(d) He is thrilled to get his lifelong dream.

4. Who are the two friends that Roy makes with the Knights?
(a) Pop Fisher and Red Blow.
(b) Harriet and Memo.
(c) Fowler and Eddie.
(d) The Judge and Bump Bailey.

5. What does Roy do to impress Memo and make some money?
(a) He take her out to eat and agrees to a second job.
(b) He performs magic tricks.
(c) He bets on the next Knights game and wins.
(d) He sells his story to Max Mercy.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Max Mercy offer Roy $5000?

2. What two things does Roy crave that drives his every action?

3. How does Harriet respond when Roy says he wants to be the best baseball player ever?

4. When Memo fails to accept Roy as her new boyfriend, what does he decide will win her over?

5. Why is Roy so good at baseball?

Short Essay Questions

1. Fatal or life-changing accidents seem prevalent in this story. Discuss at least two of them.

2. What reason did Iris give for standing up in the stands and cheering for Roy?

3. Discuss the irony that Malamud uses in naming the characters Goodwill Banner and Max Mercy.

4. When she visits Roy in Boston, what excuse does Memo give for rejecting Roy during his earlier slump?

5. What is significant about the white rose that Harriet carries?

6. How does Roy feel about Iris when he finds out she is a grandmother and what does he do?

7. What did Pop tell Roy about the pennant game and his dreams?

8. Explain the term "fair weather fan" and how the term relates to the novel.

9. Why does Roy go back to the lake, and what happens to him?

10. What does Roy reveal to Harriet and what results from that revelation?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 990 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample