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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. What emotion does Douglas feel once John leaves?

2. What happens to Leo after he enters the kitchen and announces he finished the plans for the Happiness Machine?

3. What does Leo deduce that he himself has been?

4. What does Douglas test John on in the hopes that John will remember Douglas for a long time?

5. Which of the following words would Douglas use to describe Green Town?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Leo having a difficult time resolving in his own mind that he discusses albeit briefly with Douglas?

2. Why does Douglas believe that he must get new sneakers to keep his new found sense of aliveness?

3. Describe how Douglas feels as he completes the task for his grandfather and describe what the tasks are.

4. What ruins Douglas' zest for life and desire to take in every new detail?

5. Describe a typical summer night for Douglas' family.

6. Why does Lena become reduced to tears after she uses the Happiness Machine that Leo built?

7. Why does Douglas' Grandfather become so upset at the idea of his neighbor replacing his grass with some that does not grow as fast?

8. Which brother seems more like the father and in what way do they seem to be the same?

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

10. What is the overall tone of the opening of this novel and why do you believe that is the case?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How are the themes of fear and death developed throughout the novel? Use specific examples from the text to support your statements. Do you believe the author does a good job at developing these themes? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel adults and children are often compared. Does the novel lead the reader to believe that they are more similar or more different? What events from the novel support your conclusions?

Essay Topic 3

How is the theme of tradition versus change developed throughout the novel? Use specific examples from the text to support your statements. Do you believe the author does a good job at developing this theme? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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