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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. What does Dave realize after years of struggling?

2. As Dave watches an old piece of driftwood as it washes ashore, what does he imagine the wood is trying to do?

3. What is Dave's final thought in the book?

4. How does Dave's mother feel after she stabs him?

5. What does Dave do to keep from screaming while his stab wound is being cleaned?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why Dave's mother gives him roller skates for Christmas.

2. Describe what Dave has to do while the rest of the family eats in the summer of 1971.

3. As Dave enters fifth grade, what is his frame of mind?

4. Describe why Dave is so fascinated with a piece of driftwood that is washing ashore in the Epilogue.

5. Summarize Russell's attitude toward Dave, as described in Chapter 5, The Accident.

6. Describe where Dave brings his son in the Epilogue and his emotions at that time.

7. Describe the people Dave encounters after he is rescued.

8. In Chapter 6, While Father is Away, what does Dave's father vow he will do for Dave someday?

9. Explain what Dave's mother does after he is stabbed.

10. How does Dave look positively at his abusive past?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, Dave's mother tortures him.

- Describe three of the punishments she inflicts upon Dave.

- Describe how he survives the punishments.

- Analyze his emotional state after the punishments are over.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how Dave's attitude toward life changes from the beginning of the book to the end.

- How does his attitude change toward God?

- How does his attitude change about himself?

- How are the differences in his attitude toward the meaning of life different from the beginning to the end of the book?

Essay Topic 3

Explain how the school officials finally discover Dave's abuse.

- How do they collect the evidence they need to have Dave removed from his home?

- Who is the first person to report the suspected abuse of Dave?

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This section contains 670 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample