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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How old is Willie Weaver at the beginning of the novel?
(a) Sixteen years old.
(b) Fourteen years old.
(c) Seventeen and a half years old.
(d) Twelve years old.

2. What evidence does Jenny give to her aunt to prove that the woman on the religious channel is not really crying?
(a) She says, "when people cry for real, there's snot," but the woman does not produce snot when she cries.
(b) The woman goes from a sobbing to singing without pausing.
(c) The woman's makeup remains perfect.
(d) She says that even though the woman is sobbing, she is not producing tears.

3. Why does Jenny jump into the water after Willie's accident?
(a) Big Will calls for her help because he does know CPR.
(b) She sees that Big Will is in shock and does not know what to do to save Willie.
(c) She panics and rushes in to get to Willie.
(d) She is the closest to Willie and goes in right away to save him.

4. Why does Willie take it easy in practice?
(a) Everyone else on the team is goofing around, so he decides to do the same.
(b) He is not feeling very well and is afraid to push himself too hard.
(c) He needs to save him arm, and the team needs to practice hitting.
(d) He is thinking about his sister and cannot concentrate.

5. Why does Big Will say that his guilt over Willie's accident is more difficult than Mrs. Weaver's guilt over Missy's death?
(a) Willie's accident happened when he was sixteen, but Missy was only six months old when she died.
(b) Big Will's mistake is a recent occurrence, but Mrs. Weaver has had years to get over her guilt.
(c) Big Will sees his mistake every time he looks at Willie, but Missy is buried.
(d) Big Will is directly responsible for Willie's accident, but Mrs. Weaver was not present when Missy stopped breathing.

6. Why does Mr. Walker ask Willie to be the team-manager for girls' basketball?
(a) He knows that Willie has an extensive knowledge of basketball.
(b) He thinks that being around athletics will make Willie feel better.
(c) Willie's father has asked Mr. Walker to offer the job to Willie.
(d) He has heard that Willie is interested in the job.

7. From which city does Willie ask the boy to mail his postcards?
(a) Montreal.
(b) Phoenix.
(c) Seattle.
(d) Pasadena.

8. How does the relationship between Jenny and Willie change from a friendship to a romantic relationship?
(a) Willie finally gets up the nerve to ask Jenny to be his girlfriend.
(b) Jenny asks Willie if he would like to "go" with her.
(c) Willie kisses Jenny without thinking, and then they both realize that they belong together.
(d) Neither of them says anything; they both just understand that their relationship is different.

9. What accusation does Willie hurl at Jenny at the end of Chapter 9?
(a) She has not been supportive or understanding about his problems.
(b) She cheated on him with Jeff Rhodes.
(c) She lied to him about staying with him.
(d) She has only stayed with him because she feels sorry for him.

10. Why is Willie wearing a sweatshirt with the word LURCH printed on the front?
(a) It was a gift from his baseball friends.
(b) He is a fan of "The Addams Family."
(c) It is another example of Willie's self-pity at work.
(d) It is Willie's way of attacking his problem with humor, as Cyril suggested.

11. What city is Willie's final destination?
(a) San Francisco.
(b) Seattle.
(c) Oakland.
(d) Spokane.

12. How does Willie feel about his meeting with Cyril Wheat?
(a) Willie feels completely empty inside and cannot describe his emotions.
(b) Willie is glad that he came and feels relieved to have someone to talk to.
(c) Willie is not sure how he feels because he is not sure whether he trusts Cyril.
(d) Willie resents the fact that Cyril is making him talk and is angry.

13. What does Willie give to Jenny as a sign of their newly romantic relationship?
(a) His class ring.
(b) His letterman's jacket.
(c) His gold chain.
(d) His American Legion Championship ring.

14. At what point did Willie's mother stop fishing with them?
(a) After Willie was born.
(b) After the death of Willie's sister.
(c) When Willie's sister was born.
(d) When Willie became a teenager.

15. Who was the first to find Willie's sister when she died?
(a) The neighbor, Mrs. Burke.
(b) Mr. Weaver.
(c) Mrs. Weaver.
(d) Willie.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is Willie so devastated by his parents' fight?

2. When Cyril asks Willie to share, at what part of the story does he want him to begin?

3. How has Willie changed over the twelve months before the novel begins?

4. At the beginning of Chapter 6, how much time has passed since Willie's accident?

5. Why are Willie's arms and head trapped when he falls into the water?

(see the answer keys)

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