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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 did the narrator manage to escape taking the final Algebra exam?

2. The narrator compares Van Culture with the ___________________.

3. How does the narrator characterize himself?

4. How is the Johnson Smith catalog distributed?

5. What was the name of the corporate-owned ice cream parlor that moved into town?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Define a BNA and cite some supporting examples.

6. What defense mechanisms did the kids in the back of the room develop in order to deflect the teachers' questions?

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. What prompts the narrator to think of the Johnson Smith catalog?

10. What is the imaginary Sociology lecture the narrator gives on car culture and describe the differences between the Camper Crowd and Van people.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Shepherd's writing style. How is he different from other writers of his time? What are some of his characteristic writing techniques? Identify some examples of his classic style in this book.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of the book's title, "A FISTFUL OF FIG NEWTONS." Why did Shepherd choose this title? Is there an understood message in the title? Is there another title you can suggest that might be just as appropriate?

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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