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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 long do the woodsmen in the Solomon Islands continue their ritual for one tree?

2. When Fulghum speaks of the gummy lump, he states that there are three colors of construction paper that are used: pink, red, and what?

3. In Chapter 9, what does Fulghum claim he thinks about every morning as he dresses?

4. At the end of Chapter 12, what does Fulghum claim would make a good bumper sticker for the eighties?

5. Fulghum says that the neighbor lady thinks the spider is as big as what?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 6, why did the soldiers and priests set out for a spot on the San Saba River?

2. Describe Fulghum's Crayola bomb idea.

3. What is the purpose of the larval form of the Cassida Rubignosa carrying a small sack of garbage on its back?

4. Describe Fulghum's experience of buying Tony Lama boots at Harry's Store in San Saba.

5. When Fulghum is reading the historical marker in the town square in San Saba in Chapter 6, what do a pair of elderly gentlemen tell him?

6. In the Solomon Islands what is some villagers' special way of logging?

7. In Chapter 6, why does Fulghum say that goat roping is some entertainment?

8. Describe what the gummy lump box looks like.

9. What does Fulghum think of the way Charles Boyer ended his life?

10. What are some of the things that Fulghum learned in kindergarten that can be applied to everyone at any age?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Fulghum seems to include a lot of humor with his stories and life lessons. Why do you think humor is so important in solving problems and dealing with life? How do you think Fulghum uses humor in his writing and in dealing with life? What kind of person do you see Robert Fulghum as being? Why? What evidence from the stories brings you to this conclusion? How do you think Fulghum feels about his friends and family? Does he use humor in most his dealings with neighbors and family? If so, do you think this helps his dealings with his fellow man? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Even though Fulghum jumps from story to story and doesn't really go in any type of chronological order, does the book still seem to flow when you read it? Why or why not? After reading only short stories about so many different times, places, and individuals, was there enough to interest you as a reader and keep you wanting more as you read the book? If so, how does Fulghum create this in his writing? If not, why were you not interested or involved with the book and people? Why do you think Robert Fulghum wrote the book the way he did with short stories and short chapters? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Fulghum speaks of his lawyer friend who says that we should just be and that life is all crap and it's all lies. Why do you think his friend feels this way? Why do you think someone who has been through so many experiences in life still thinks that his philosophy on life is wrong? Do you think Fulghum believes that life is "all crap" and that we should "just be"? Why or why not? Do you think Fulghum's lawyer friend is being cynical about life, or is he being more skeptical? Explain your answers, and use specific examples from the book to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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