View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Russell's reaction to the harsh way mother talks to Dave?

2. What does Dave's fourth grade substitute teacher give to students who do good work?

3. What does Dave promise himself he will do if he comes out of his situation alive?

4. How does Dave react when his father says goodbye to him?

5. How does Dave feel about his father after he tells his father about the stabbing?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe the one time Dave had his prayers answered.

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

6. Summarize the incidents that happen to Dave on the day his mother takes his brothers to the zoo.

7. Summarize the forms of punishment Dave expects to receive as he turns 11-years-old.

8. Describe the actions of Dave's mother when she offers him a plate of food after ten days of not eating.

9. Describe what Dave does when he finds that his stab wound is infected.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the relationship between Dave and his brother, Russell.

- How does Russell have an impact on how Dave's mother treats him?

- What are Russell's feelings toward Dave?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Dave's coming of age throughout the story.

- What fears and emotions does he experience as he experiences more and more abuse from his mother?

- How do his attitudes change as he develops from a young boy into an adult?

- Cite examples of the changes Dave goes through from the good times in the story through his abuse and his rescue.

Essay Topic 3

Dave is abused constantly throughout the book.

- How does Dave's mother manage to keep her abuse of Dave a secret? Cite examples from the book.

- What does she tell the principal of Dave's school when he calls to ask about Dave's condition?

- How do the authorities finally find out the truth about Dave's abuse?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 781 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample