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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 is in the car in front of the narrator?

2. Where is the narrator's childhood summer camp located?

3. What happened to the narrator on the previous day while traveling?

4. The narrator now understands that _______________ bet against the school team and disabled the star player in the laxative contest.

5. Who is the first boy to leave the contest?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the premise of A FISTFUL OF FIG NEWTONS?

2. What does the forming of clans among New Jerseyites mean?

3. What prompts the narrator to recall his college days?

4. How did the narrator conquer the tailgater just by using his mental prowess?

5. Name some New Jersey characteristics that make it the butt of comedians' jokes.

6. How is the narrator--as an observer of life--typically different from people like Umbaugh and Skunk?

7. Why does the narrator question his impatience to get through the tunnel?

8. How did the narrator's army experience separate him from the world?

9. How did the fat Chipmunk earn the name of Skunk?

10. What are the rules of the contest Umbaugh suggested?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain how the narrator is always positioned as an "everyman" in each of the stories. Define what is meant by "everyman" and cite two examples in which the narrator assumes this role. Was he comfortable knowing he was neither brain nor brawn, but a curious observer? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

What is the point of view of this book? Why did Shepherd use this point of view? Is it the only way the book could have realistically been written? How else could Shepherd have used point of view to alter the rhythm of the book? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Humor takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

(see the answer keys)

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