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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How has Willie changed over the twelve months before the novel begins?
(a) His voice has become squeaky and his face is full of acne.
(b) He has learned that there is more to life than baseball.
(c) He has gotten bigger, stronger, and better.
(d) He has learned to appreciate the gifts he has been given.

2. How does Willie's father react when he found out that Willie had taken acid?
(a) He blames Willie's friends and refuses to allow Willie to see them again.
(b) He is disappointed and blames himself for Willie's unhappiness.
(c) He is angry and loses control of his anger in a way that Willie had never seen.
(d) He is disappointed, but understands and forgives Willie.

3. Why does Big Will throw his racket and break it?
(a) He is frustrated because he feels like Willie is not putting forth any effort.
(b) He overhears someone make a negative comment about Willie.
(c) He is angry with himself for pushing Willie too hard.
(d) He hits a bad shot and is frustrated with himself.

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

5. What does Willie do to try to help himself get to sleep?
(a) He plans to take a warm bath.
(b) He counts sheep in his bed.
(c) He plans to try drinking some warm milk.
(d) He goes for a short run around the block.

6. What excuse does Big Will give to explain why he pushes Willie so hard?
(a) He does not want to be embarrassed of Willie every time they go out in public.
(b) He believes that, deep down, Willie appreciates being pushed so hard.
(c) He is afraid that if he does not push Willie, he will just hide out.
(d) He believes that if Willie works hard, he can be a sports hero again.

7. Why does Marty offer Willie the pill?
(a) He is hoping that Willie will like it, and he can gain a new customer.
(b) He says it will make him feel better; he should save it for when he really feels bad.
(c) He does not like Willie and is trying to get him into trouble.
(d) He has always admired Willie and is trying to be his friend.

8. In what way has Willie's accident affected the way that he views Marty?
(a) Willie used to think that Marty was cool, but now he sees that he is a loser.
(b) Willie has always been curious about Marty, but now he does not care.
(c) He used to think that Marty was a loser, but now he admires his confidence.
(d) Willie never payed any attention to Marty before and did not know anything about him.

9. According to Willie, why does Jenny Blackburn always win when they race each other on bicycles?
(a) Her bicycle is newer and has more gears.
(b) She moves the finish line so that she is always the first to cross.
(c) She has longer legs and can pedal faster.
(d) She always takes a head start.

10. How does Willie feel when he rides with his father on the motorcycle?
(a) Willie feels resentment that his father will not allow him to ride alone.
(b) Willie is embarrassed that one of his friends may see him on the back of the bike.
(c) Willie feels extremely close to his father, but cannot express this.
(d) Willie is sad that his father seems to take such needless risks.

11. What issue does Willie's mom raise about the poor pass?
(a) She does not think he was holding the ball effectively before he started the pass.
(b) She wants to know why he did not fasten the chin strap on his football helmet.
(c) She is upset because Willie yelled at his teammates afterward.
(d) She is upset that he used a curse word when the ball slipped out of his hand.

12. Why do the other kids at Johnny's party not drink the beer that Marty and his friends bring?
(a) They do not want to be associated with Marty, so they drink their own beer.
(b) They are athletes in training, and they know that they would get into trouble if they were caught.
(c) They have all signed a promise to their parents that they will not drink alcohol.
(d) Some of the kids are recovering alcoholics, and no one wants to tempt them.

13. How does Willie feel about his job as manager for the girls' basketball team?
(a) He feels invisible, as if it would not matter whether he were there.
(b) It gives him some hope that one day he might be able to play again.
(c) He feels some normalcy being on the basketball court and close to athletics.
(d) He feels like everyone is staring at him when he gets up to pass out water ot towels.

14. 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 is thinking about his sister and cannot concentrate.
(d) He needs to save him arm, and the team needs to practice hitting.

15. Where does Willie take Jenny when he wants to try to change their relationship?
(a) To the baseball field.
(b) To his fishing hole.
(c) To a bluff overlooking the river.
(d) To the bleachers at the football field.

Short Answer Questions

1. What causes Willie to experience the odd dream about Promontory Point and the Crazy Horse Electric game?

2. What causes Willie to sink to the floor of the racquetball court and begin sobbing?

3. Why does Big Will say that his guilt over Willie's accident is more difficult than Mrs. Weaver's guilt over Missy's death?

4. Why does Willie wish he had known how to perform CPR when he was twelve?

5. Where has Jenny Blackburn been for the two weeks before school begins?

(see the answer keys)

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