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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. What New Year's resolution does Paul make while in Puerto Rico?

2. What does Paul like to do while reading Thoreau?

3. What does Edie encourage Paul about concerning his identity?

4. How does Paul's relationship with his mother progress over time?

5. How does Paul begin seeing Cantwell?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Cantwell's theory on why Paul seeks approval? How does Paul feel about it?

2. What epiphany does Paul realize as he gets to know the personal loves of all his lovers during his spree of flings in Boston?

3. What "new suit for the emperor" does Paul try out in his new life at Canton?

4. As Paul starts up various relationships during his time of therapy, how does his whirlwind of affairs end?

5. What moment does Paul finally get that is comparable to the Andover jocks that tease Mr. Nindle? How does Paul react to it?

6. Compare and contrast Paul's life and role between Sutton Hill and Canton Academy. Which seems more fitting for Paul? In what way?

7. What moment does Paul recall on the beach one December day as he skips stones? Why is this memory important?

8. How does Paul react to Bill's death?

9. During Paul's phase of trying to go straight, what patterns and themes are seen in the people Paul gets involved with?

10. How does Paul view his autobiographical reading? What does he get from it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are some patterns in Paul's personality that are seen throughout his life. How Paul get what he wants from people? What does he revert to whenever he wants to please others when he is a child? What about when he is an adult?

Essay Topic 2

Paul refers to occurrences that relates to his brother Bobby throughout the book. Based on Paul's writings, describe Paul's relationship with Bobby. What kind of a big brother is Paul to Bobby? Provide examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

What is the purpose of writing "Becoming a Man:Half a Life Story?" What does Paul hope his readers will understand and get from his autobiography?

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