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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. How does the narrator characterize himself?

2. What is the picture on the side of the bus that stops beside the narrator?

3. What is masked as a cigar in the catalog?

4. What disturbing information did the groundskeeper at the park tell the boys?

5. The term "lemon" when used to refer to a bad car began with a man who lost a race in ____________ in 1903.

Short Essay Questions

1. What human foibles does the Johnson Smith catalog prey on and why does the narrator appreciate it?

2. Why does the narrator attribute his academic doom to classroom seating?

3. What was the worst case scenario of a BNA?

4. What prompts the narrator's memory about the great ice cream war?

5. With what does the narrator credit the Johnson Smith catalog for being and how will it stand up as an American culture artifact?

6. What prompts the narrator to think about advertising and a future archaeological dig where New York City is excavated?

7. How does the narrator's experience in the Lincoln Tunnel mirror his demeanor during his school years?

8. What are the typical bumper sticker messages found on campers as opposed to the stickers found on vans?

9. How was the great Ice Cream War another example of brains vs. brawn in the narrator's life?

10. What has the NLGA done to try to counteract the negative perceptions of lemons?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the narrator's character. What are his similarities to Jean Shepherd? Do you think the narrator's character was based on Shepherd himself? Cite your reasons for your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

The narrator introduces the reader to several types of people in the book. Do you think he liked any one of them more than the others? Who would you choose to be your new friend among the people the narrator introduced in the book? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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