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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. How does Willie feel when he rides with his father on the motorcycle?

2. How does Johnny Rivers convince the English teacher to let him tell his joke?

3. Ever since his accident, how does Willie feel when people smile at him?

4. What is Willie's first mistake of the Crazy Horse Electric game?

5. Which characters accompany Willie when he goes to speak to Mr. Samson?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Big Will get angry with Willie on the racquetball court?

2. Why does the umpire not reprimand Sal Whitworth for hitting Johnny Rivers?

3. How has Willie changed over the past year?

4. How has the death of Willie's sister affected the Weaver family?

5. According to Andre, why is OMLC a better choice for Willie than public high school?

6. Why is Willie disappointed when he realizes that Angel works for Lacey?

7. Why does Lisa offer to help Willie?

8. What advice does Cyril Wheat give to Willie about how to deal with his friends?

9. Why does Willie have such a difficult time cheering for Jenny in the basketball game or celebrating with her afterward?

10. What makes Willie think that Lacey might help him even though he says he wants him out the next day?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One theme of the novel is that growth and maturity are not always a reflection of chronological age. Some characters face their challenges responsibly, and others avoid responsibility altogether. Which characters in the novel reveal themselves to be mature adults in the end, and which characters continue to behave like children? Explain and support with evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Oakland, California and Coho, Montana. What experiences is Willie unprepared for upon his arrival in Oakland, and how does he learn to adapt? Provide evidence from the text to support your observations.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the ways in which Big Will's interest in his son are narcissistic. In what ways does he rely on his son's accomplishments for his own self-worth? How does this perspective affect his relationship with his son? How does Willie's accident, and later disappearance, affect Big Will's sense of self?

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This section contains 959 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample