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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 problem are Susan and Spenser trying to solve in Chapter 23?

2. What is Spenser's solution to the problem discussed in Chapter 23?

3. Right after visiting Louis', where do Paul and Spenser go?

4. When Paul asks Spenser about his fighting career, he asks if he could have been a champion; and Spenser says no. What is Spenser's reasoning for that answer?

5. What is the first step that Paul and Spenser work on when building the cabin?

Short Essay Questions

1. Is Spenser's plan to blackmail the Giacomins in order to make them pay for Paul's education and living expenses, as well as staying away from him a good plan? Why? Why not?

2. Why does Spenser does not take a television to the cabin with him and Paul?

3. In Chapter 17, Paul asks Spenser why he cannot simply leave him alone. Spenser replies that he cannot leave him alone because everyone in his life has left him alone and it has not done him any good. He also tells Paul that his goal is to help him become a better person. What does Spenser mean by that?

4. Aside from making sure that Paul has a presentable suit to wear to the ballet, what is the point of taking Paul to Louis' to get a suit?

5. Why is the discussion that Spenser and Paul have in Chapter 21 about the rules of fighting an important one?

6. Why does Spenser decide to take Paul to Fryeburg and build a cabin?

7. Does Susan make a good point about parental rights in Chapter 23? Why? Why not?

8. Why does Spenser agree to keep Paul after the kidnapping scare when Patty is taken hostage?

9. Is the violence used in Chapter 24 necessary? Why?

10. Was it a good idea for Spenser and Paul to break into Mel's office? Why? Why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Spenser and Susan both support Paul's dream to become a dancer. In fact, they take him to see live dance performances and help him find a school where he can learn about dance. How important will that support be for Paul as he enters his new school? How about in the rest of his life? How is it different from the support that his parents agreed to give to him?

Essay Topic 2

Another major theme of this story is that of personal responsibility. Explore the idea of personal responsibility as it relates to each major character (Spenser, Susan, Patty, Mel, and Paul). How does each character feel about personal responsibility? How do they demonstrate those beliefs? Use instances from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Spenser is the protagonist (hero, good guy) of the story. He is a complex character with many personality aspects who makes some very tough decisions throughout the book. What makes Spenser the hero of the story, even though he makes some decisions which could be viewed as morally problematic? Use instances from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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