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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Cyril ask Willie to do if he has any suicidal thoughts?
(a) Cyril wants Willie to call the suicide hotline if he seriously considers suicide.
(b) Cyril wants Willie to call him if his suicidal thoughts get serious.
(c) Cyril wants Willie to tell his parents if he has serious thoughts of suicide.
(d) Cyril wants Willie to see his family doctor if he has suicidal thoughts.

2. What keeps Willie from acting like a cocky kid?
(a) Wilie's father would not allow it.
(b) Willie does not realize how good he is.
(c) Willie's mother has taught him to be gracious and grateful.
(d) Willie's teammates are just as talented as he is.

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

4. Why does Willie wish he had known how to perform CPR when he was twelve?
(a) Maybe he would not be afraid of the water.
(b) He could have been a lifeguard at the pool.
(c) He would be much more confident about performing the procedure if he had those years of practice.
(d) He could have saved his sister.

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

6. Why do Willie and his father wear helmets when they ride the motorcycle?
(a) They only wear them to make Mrs. Weaver happy, and they take them off when they get around the corner.
(b) Willie had a friend who was killed in a motorcycle accident, so he always wears his helmet.
(c) Willie's father is concerned about safety and requires all riders to wear a helmet.
(d) The state law requires them to wear helmets, but they wouldn't wear them otherwise.

7. 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 gotten bigger, stronger, and better.
(c) He has learned to appreciate the gifts he has been given.
(d) He has learned that there is more to life than baseball.

8. What causes Willie to sink to the floor of the racquetball court and begin sobbing?
(a) He realizes that his parents are headed for divorce.
(b) His father throws the racket, and Willie realizes he is a disappointment.
(c) He realizes that someone has been watching, and he considers what it must look like to an outsider.
(d) Willie realizes that he has not been trying and that he does not want to get better.

9. 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 hits a bad shot and is frustrated with himself.
(d) He is angry with himself for pushing Willie too hard.

10. What advice does Big Will give to Willie regarding his poor pass in the last football game?
(a) "Any son of mine will not embarrass me with another poor play like that."
(b) "Never do less than your best just because you're playing an inferior team."
(c) "Life is too short to make bad passes."
(d) "Always visualize the path the ball should take before you release your throw."

11. Why does Willie feel safe on the motorcycle with his father?
(a) Willie believes that his father is immortal.
(b) Willie and his father are wearing helmets.
(c) Willie's father has never had an accident before.
(d) Willie knows that his father is a cautious driver.

12. How does Johnny Rivers convince the English teacher to let him tell his joke?
(a) He tells her that it is really funny.
(b) The class is talking about verbal irony, so Johnny's story fits right in.
(c) He does not ask; he just begins to tell the story.
(d) He tells her that he has been thinking of writing a book and wants help with his idea.

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

14. Ever since his accident, how does Willie feel when people smile at him?
(a) It makes him sad, but he tries to hold back the tears.
(b) It makes him laugh since he knows they are only smiling because they are uncomfortable.
(c) He appreciates their efforts to comfort and understand him.
(d) It makes him angry because he feels like they are showing him pity.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Mrs. Weaver blame Big Will for the family's problems?

2. When do Wilie and his father take an evening motorcycle ride?

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

4. How does the umpire respond after Sal Whitworth hits Johnny?

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

(see the answer keys)

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