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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. Miller's mother attempts to find father figures for her son by involving him in which community organization?
(a) Little League.
(b) After school program.
(c) Boy Scouts.
(d) Cub Scouts.

2. What is the reason that Miller gives for failing to find positive male influences in his life?
(a) His immaturity.
(b) There were none around.
(c) His insecurity.
(d) He does not give a reasonn.

3. What group of people does Miller suggest are similar to orphaned elephants?
(a) Male prisoners who grow up without a father.
(b) Foster children in the child welfare system.
(c) All prisoners in in the United States.
(d) Children from single-parent families.

4. The message of this book is presented by the author with a strong bias for which he does not do what?
(a) Apologize.
(b) State that he is sorry.
(c) Ask the reader's forgiveness.
(d) Show remorse.

5. As a child and adolescent, who does Miller resent?
(a) Friends who had fathers.
(b) Fathers who left their families.
(c) Authority figures.
(d) Rich people.

Short Answer Questions

1. How do these stories from Miller's childhood help the reader understand Miller, the author?

2. True of False: only men who grew up without fathers and boys who are being without fathers will benefit from reading this book.

3. Miller found the characteristics of a strong male authority figure in whom?

4. Who is the main character of this book?

5. Why does Miller's Pinewood Derby Car not make it in the derby race?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 1, Miller describes meeting Mr. Gentiles as one of the key turning points in his life. Why does Miller believe this?

2. Miller states that his experience in which he did not get to enter a derby car in the race did not affect him. Do you agree? Why or why not?

3. In Chapter 6, Miller's tone changes. He also more exclusively addresses his intended audience. How does his tone change and what positive and negative effect can these changes have on the reader?

4. Miller's mother attempts to find father figures for her son in several places. Describe Miller's mother's efforts. How successful were these efforts?

5. In Chapter 2, Miller again tells stories that span his life. What is the effect of this storytelling approach on the reader?

6. Chapter 5 is considered the "climax" of this book. What does this mean?

7. What is the author's intent in writing this book?

8. Miller suggests that as a child he was attracted to stories about dwarfs and dragons. In particular, he wanted to own and ride a dragon. He believes that the dragon took on the role of a father figure. What characteristics of the dragon do you believe remind him of a father figure?

9. In Chapter 6, Miller admits to having difficulties in establishing positive male relationships. What reasons does Miller give for having difficulty establishing positive male influences in his life?

10. Miller presents statistics about the percentage of males in prison raised without a father. He suggests there is a connection between these statistics and the orphaned elephants. What is this connection?

(see the answer keys)

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