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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where do Douglas, his grandfather and brother meet Leo?
(a) On the neighbor's porch
(b) Next to the ravine
(c) In front of the cigar shop
(d) At the movie house

2. What does Douglas find contentment in on Grandfather's porch?
(a) Brother's love
(b) Adults' presence and chatter
(c) Sounds of the crickets
(d) Catching lightning bugs

3. What does the Happiness Machine actually result in?
(a) Relief
(b) Longing
(c) Conflict
(d) Happiness

4. In what year does this novel begin?
(a) 1910
(b) 1928
(c) 1940
(d) 1950

5. What does Douglas suggest he and Tom own together?
(a) Happiness Machine
(b) Green Machine
(c) Gold mine
(d) Ice cream shop

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Douglas use to begin to appreciate his surroundings?

2. What did Douglas want his father to buy him after they went to a movie?

3. Which of the following is not something Leo Auffmann is known for?

4. What divides Green Town into two?

5. What does Grandfather need to press with the dandelions Douglas and his brother collect?

Short Essay Questions

1. What can be said that Leo has tampered with when he follows through on building the Happiness Machine?

2. How does Leo rationalize to a displeased Lena that the Happiness Machine is a necessity?

3. Why is Frank confused at the message that Douglas gives to him to relay to his sisters?

4. In what ways was the fact that change is difficult for children reinforced in this section of the novel?

5. Based on Tom's habit of keeping statistics, what idea does Douglas implement himself?

6. What does the beating of the rugs symbolize to Douglas and Tom both?

7. How does Douglas convince the shoe store owner to give him the new shoes and how does this process help the shoe store owner himself?

8. What new revelation does Douglas come to by dividing up his summer?

9. How does Helen Bentley attempt to prove to the children that she was indeed once a child?

10. How did Helen overcome her exasperation at the children not being able to accept the fact that she was once young?

(see the answer keys)

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