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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. Which child has contacted Doc Franken to bring him to the Chance home in Book Three?

2. What does Hugh tell Kincaid to do to practice for their fishing trip in Book One?

3. What song does Hugh compare "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" to in Book Two?

4. Where do the Chance boys hide to watch their father's pitching attempts and philosophize together?

5. Why is Everett given permission to go to summer camp at Wolverton Lake?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Papa lose his thumb?

2. What did Hugh wear while practicing pitching in the shed?

3. How does Laura react to the ultimatum that Hugh gives her at the end of Book Three about her treatment of Peter, Everett, and Kincaid?

4. Why does Hugh tell Kincaid it is nonsense to paint a strike zone in his practice bullpen?

5. What do the boys make a pact to pray for at the end of Book Two?

6. What political figure does Kincaid compare Laura and "her Bible" to in Book Three and why?

7. How do the boys name the pitches their father practices in Book Two?

8. What freedom does Laura grant Peter, Everett, and Kincaid after the Psalm War in Book Three?

9. Why do some players call Papa "Smoke"?

10. How does Peter's appearance change after Laura stops doing his domestic duties?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The relationship of marriage is evident in several different couples in The Brothers K. Compare and contrast Hugh's and Laura's marriage with Irwin's and Linda's marriage or Uncle Marvin's and Aunt Mary Jane's marriage. Point out similarities and differences and what those details infer about the characters in those relationships.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout The Brothers K, Duncan uses imagery as a metaphor for the plot and character development. Give three specific examples of these metaphors and how they relate specific actions in the plot and/or character development. Discuss why or why not they are effective as literary tools augmenting the general action.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the importance of setting within The Brothers K. Make sure to discuss at least three different settings and how the descriptions of those settings are integral in the development of themes and characters.

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