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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. Why is dinner stressful in Chapter 1?

2. Why aren't the bullies successful in getting Marcus in trouble in Chapter 7?

3. What does Will prefer not to do when it comes to women?

4. What has Marcus hit a duck with at the SPAT picnic?

5. Where do Marcus and Fiona live?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Will feeling about his life in Chapter 12?

2. What lie does Will tell at the SPAT meeting?

3. Describe Will as depicted in Chapter 2.

4. What does Will think of marriage and children?

5. Why is Marcus bullied and how does he handle the bullying?

6. Why does Marcus try to turn off the film in Chapter 11?

7. What happens to a duck at the SPAT picnic? How does Will cover up for Marcus because of the duck?

8. Describe Will's night at Fiona's and Marcus' home in Chapter 14.

9. How does Will come to the realization that single mothers are the perfect companions for men with commitment issues?

10. What does Marcus find at home in Chapter 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Marcus' relationships with his parents. Does he have good relationships with them? Why or why not? How do his relationships with his parents evolve as the novel progresses?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze symbolism in the novel "About a Boy". What are some examples of symbolism??

Essay Topic 3

Analyze Hornby's use of irony. What are some examples of irony in the novel? How do these examples affect the reader's experience when reading the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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