View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Paul and his mother find out about the smoke?

2. What does the coach say about stopping or changing the time of football practice?

3. What does Paul wonder about Joey?

4. What does Paul and his mother have to fill out for him to start school?

5. What happens when a thunderstorm hits?

Short Essay Questions

1. What boy Paul's age does Paul meet and what does he see while Paul watches soccer practice?

2. What memory does Paul recall when he starts school on Monday?

3. What does Paul say about how his mother has arranged their move?

4. What news does Erik tell Paul and Mrs. Fisher when Erik comes home from school on Tuesday?

5. What does Paul's mother think will happen about Mike's death and what actually happens? What does Paul wonder about Joey?

6. What does Paul's mother do about Mike's death?

7. To what does Paul wake on August 9, who does he tell and what does she say to him? What do they do about the problem?

8. What does Paul and his mother learn about muck fires, and what happens when a thunderstorm hits?

9. Where does Paul go on his bike and what does he see about their subdivision?

10. What does Paul think about if Erik died?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Paul's father asks if Paul made the all county team, and Paul is angered by the question. He turns the tables, asking his dad how many games he'd played in, what position he'd played and pointing out very clearly that his father hadn't been to any games.

1. Why do you think Paul became angry at his father's question? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think it was right for Paul to point out to his father the obvious lack of interest Mr. Fisher seems to have in Paul's athletic endeavors? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. What do you think are the motivations behind Mr. Fisher's different interactions with his two sons? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Paul says that he realizes it means extra driving, but that it's what he wants to do. His mother gives in. Paul is asserting himself a little more as he matures and this is an example of the theme, coming of age.

1. Do you think Paul asserting himself is a sign of maturity? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think that Paul not caring about his mother having to drive him farther is a sign of selfishness? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. What are some ways in which Paul seems mature for his age? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and sometimes it is the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Tangerine has? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,155 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample