View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Marcus wait outside the news agent's in Chapter 27?

2. What happens between Will and Rachel that he doesn't expect in Chapter 30?

3. Who does Will fall in love with?

4. What does Will realize is the only interesting thing about him?

5. What does Marcus promise to do for Will in Chapter 26?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the reader learn about Ellie's mother in Chapter 25?

2. Why does Marcus try to keep Ellie from reading the papers in Chapter 31?

3. Why does Fiona suggest that Marcus visit his father? What makes Marcus agree to go?

4. What does Will confess to Rachel in Chapter 28?

5. Why does Marcus become angry at Ellie in Chapter 29?

6. Why does Marcus run out of the house in Chapter 26?

7. What shocks Marcus' classmates in Chapter 21?

8. What does Will tell Marcus in Chapter 20 when Marcus tells Will about his run-in with Ellie?

9. What do Ellie and Marcus talk about at the party in Chapter 25?

10. What happens outside a news agent in Chapter 27?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is the author of the novel? What are some other works he has written? Describe his writing style.

Essay Topic 2

Marcus struggles with bullying throughout the novel. Why might he be an easy target for bullies? What does Marcus do to try and avoid the bullies? Who does he blame for the bullying? What do the authority figures in his life do to help him?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the use of humor in the novel "About a Boy". What are some examples of humor used in the novel? What types of humor does Hornby use? Why might he use humor?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 806 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample