View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Palmer's father give him as a ninth birthday gift?
(a) Roller blades.
(b) His metal toy soldiers that were once his grandfather's.
(c) His photo album from his ninth birthday.
(d) Boxing gloves.

2. What is a pigeon doing if he is roosting?
(a) Dying.
(b) Sleeping.
(c) Flying.
(d) Eating.

3. With whom does Palmer attend his second pigeon shoot?
(a) Dorothy Gruzik.
(b) His aunt and cousins.
(c) His mother and father.
(d) Beans, Mutto and Henry.

4. What is treestumping?
(a) Standing in front of a tree and throwing snowballs at houses.
(b) Standing in front of Dorothy like a tree to block her walking.
(c) Standing behind a tree and throwing a snowball at Dorothy.
(d) Standing behind a tree and throwing snowballs at passing cars.

5. How does Palmer decide to handle Saturday and the pigeon shoot?
(a) He pretends to be sick and stays home all day.
(b) He runs away from home.
(c) He goes with Dorothy's family to the neighboring town to shop.
(d) He leaves with his family for the weekend.

Short Answer Questions

1. What diversion does Palmer create to keep the gang from coming to his house?

2. What does Palmer feed the pigeon?

3. Where does Palmer's pigeon sleep?

4. Where is Palmer to meet the gang on Saturday for the pigeon shoot?

5. Where do the boys go in the middle of the night?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Palmer opens the door on his birthday and finds Beans, Mutto and Henry there, he is elated. Why? Who are these boys? What do they represent in Palmer's life?

2. Beans begins to escalate the treestumping of Dorothy to get a reaction from her, but she gives him none. His cruel behavior escalates until Dorothy finally does react. What is her reaction, and how does this affect Palmer?

3. What is The Treatment? What does it mean to Palmer to receive The Treatment? What does Palmer get after getting through The Treatment?

4. When the boys find Farquar, he is on the soccer field and all but Palmer rush over to see him. Why does Palmer lag behind? What is he experiencing walking onto the field?

5. For his birthday, Palmer gets an old apple core, an old sock, and a cigar butt from his new friends. What makes these gifts special? How does Palmer react to his mother's gifts?

6. Palmer comes home after the boys see a pigeon flying overhead and he cries. Why is he crying? What does he admit about his day?

7. Palmer tries to explain to Dorothy why he cannot tell people he does not want to be a wringer. What kinds of pressure does he feel? How does he think people will react?

8. How does Palmer react when the gang tell him they believe he has a pigeon for a pet? What does Palmer want the gang to believe and why?

9. In Chapter 25, Palmer has a wonderful day in which he is relaxed and happy. The day dissolves into emotional distress. What happens to make Palmer nervous and upset? What two parts of Palmer's personality come into conflict?

10. What chores does Palmer offer to do for himself? Why does he offer to take care of his own room?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,289 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample