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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. Fulghum states that he has heightened respect for what goes on in the nooks and crannies of our rooms and claims that it isn't dirt that is located there, it's what?

2. After the motorcycle momma was done dancing with the Indian, what did the Indian dance with?

3. Fulghum talks about a balloon that came from the gardens of Versailles carrying three things. What were those three things?

4. In Chapter 21, what does Fulghum's neighbor give him for a Christmas present?

5. What is the name of the tavern that Fulghum talks about visiting in Chapter 35?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Fulghum's ride home in an ancient pickup truck in Chapter 17.

2. In Chapter 36, what happens when Fulghum stops to help a couple that has a dead car battery and he and the stranded man try to find the battery?

3. What happened in Chapter 24 when Fulghum tries to organize a game of giants, wizards, and dwarfs?

4. How does Fulghum explain how the people of imagination mentioned in Chapter 37 stand on one another's shoulders?

5. Why does Fulghum tell the reader in Chapter 16 to not be mislead by the stories we hear of crookedness and corruption?

6. Who is Donnie in Chapter 30, and why does he knock on Fulghum's door?

7. What does the author do in Chapter 28 when his cuckoo clock is not working properly, and what happens to the clock?

8. In Chapter 34, Fulghum discusses the two items that make up the majority of stuff. What are some of the other miscellaneous items that make up stuff?

9. How does Fulghum think people's attitude would be different if dandelions were rare and fragile?

10. Describe Larry Walters' contraption that Fulghum mentions in Chapter 38 and what he has with him as he floats over Los Angeles.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why do you think Fulghum ends his book the way he does? Does that help the reader reach a conclusion, or does it leave the reader hanging? Was this Fulghum's intention? Why or why not? Do you think Fulghum could have ended his book any other way? If so, how? If not, why do you think this was the most effective ending?

Essay Topic 2

Mr. Washington is mentioned a couple times in the book as Fulghum's neighbor. Fulghum and Mr. Washington seem to share a strong bond even though they have a lot of differences. What are some of Robert Fulghum's and Mr. Washington's differences? What kinds of things bond the two neighbors together? Why do you think these two neighbors were such good friends? Do you think Mr. Washington saw the simple things in life as Robert Fulghum does? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 42 Fulghum talks about the zoo and how animals in the zoo "do what they do and are what they are" and don't ask questions. Which of Fulghum's stories relate to the human want and need to question? Which person or people have questions or "rattles the bars" of his or her cage? Why do you think it is human nature to question and wonder why? What kind of topics does Fulghum write about that would naturally bring up questions and wonderment? Explain your answers, and use specific examples from the book to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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