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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 does Paul ask Spenser about red and gray squirrels?

2. In Chapter 20, what does Paul reveal to Spenser about his dreams?

3. What is Paul's answer when Spenser asks him whether there is any place that he has always wanted to go, that no one would take him, that he was afraid to ask?

4. How does Susan describe the relationship that parents have with their children?

5. Why does Susan feel the way that she does about the idea of Paul being away from his parents and learning self-reliance?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Paul force Spenser to wake him the way that he did in Chapter 16?

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

5. Why does Paul's revelation that he would like to be a dancer important?

6. What is Susan's opinion about Spenser keeping Paul?

7. What type of character is Harry Cotton?

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

9. How does Susan feel about Spenser sending Paul and Patty to her house in Chapter 13?

10. How is the reader likely to feel when Patty shows up to take Paul home in Chapter 22?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the major characters in this book (Spenser, Susan, Patty, Mel, or Paul). Choose one specific situation out of the book and explain what and how you would have changed it. For instance, if you choose Patty in Chapter 1 where she hires Spenser, what would you change about that situation? Would you hire a private investigator as she did, or would you perhaps go to the police, to try to solve the problem yourself? Use instances from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

This story takes place in Boston, and all of the characters are Boston residents. The characters in "Early Autumn" do not speak with any kind of accent, most notably the "Bahstahn" accent. Why does Parker not have his characters speak with any accents?

Essay Topic 3

Spenser and Susan's relationship is very different from Mel and Patty's.

Part 1) Explore the relationship between Susan and Spenser in a more in-depth way; how do they treat each other (i.e., Spenser uses manners when speaking to Susan; Susan is always truthful to Spenser, even when it is not something that he necessarily wants to hear);

Part 2) How does the relationship between Spenser and Susan affect Paul?

Use specific examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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