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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 do Dave's brothers bring to the house to see him being punished in Chapter 6, While Father is Away?

2. What does Dave dream on the night his stab wound infection is cleaned?

3. Why does Dave's mother give him roller skates for Christmas?

4. What is Dave thinking as he looks at his stab wound and sits at the bottom of the stairs?

5. What is the one thing Dave wants, even more than food in Chapter 6, While Father is Away?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain why Mother suddenly allows Dave to watch television and gives him new clothes to wear in Chapter 6, While Father is Away.

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

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

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

6. Dave goes to his father for help after being stabbed. What is his father's reaction?

7. Explain the new punishment Dave's mother invents for him in Chapter 5, While Father is Away, and how he survives it.

8. How does the school nurse become interested in Dave's condition in Chapter 6, While Father is Away?

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

10. Describe the incident where Dave is stabbed by his mother.

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)

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