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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. Who successfully rings the bell at the County Fair strong man exhibit?

2. During the family's road trip to Michigan, why does Mother suddenly insist that the Old Man stop the car?

3. When the Old Man gets himself a beer at the fair, what does he get for his older son?

4. On Saturday night, right before the family trip to Michigan, what does the Old Man say about their departure?

5. How does the final spinning top battle between Farkas and the narrator conclude?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does the narrator find a top worthy of a battle against Scut Farkas, the school's bully and master top spinner?

2. On departure day, why does the Shepherd family fail to leave for their annual trip at six in the morning as planned?

3. What happens after the narrator uses a dummy top and lets Farkas win the first round?

4. How does the Old Man feel towards the Bumpus family?

5. Describe the race that the Old Man and the narrator watch at the County Fair.

6. How does the Old Man handle all the problems the family encounters en route to Michigan?

7. Describe the conditions inside the car during the drive to Clear Lake, Michigan.

8. Where do the Bumpuses make their illegal liquor?

9. Which member of the narrator's family seems to be the most excited at the County Fair?

10. At the end of the Shepherd family's County Fair excursion, what is the Old Man's assessment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the Shepherd and the Bumpus families.

1. In what ways do the Bumpuses annoy the Old Man and his family?

2. Despite the stark differences between the Shepherds and the Bumpuses, what makes each family bizarre and eccentric in its own way?

Essay Topic 2

How does the author illustrate group or mob mentality through some of his stories? What messages does he convey regarding group behavior? What conclusions can you reach about his own thoughts and feelings on this subject?

Essay Topic 3

Although events rarely go according to plan and expectations, somehow the narrator gets through them and even manages to be content with the outcome. Explain what factors help the narrator maintain a positive attitude even when his hopes and dreams fail to materialize.

(see the answer keys)

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