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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 the man at the desk threaten to do in Chapter 25?

2. What does the visitor in Chapter 22 ask for Paul and Spenser to do?

3. In Chapter 18, where does Paul tell Spenser that he has never been?

4. What does Paul ask Spenser about red and gray squirrels?

5. On their first full day at the cabin in Chapter 16, Spenser and Paul go to North Conway for which of the following?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What type of character is Harry Cotton?

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

4. As evidenced in his conversation with Spenser in Chapter 20, why is Paul curious in relation to why his parents think the way that they do?

5. In Chapter 21 we are able to see how Paul is growing both physically and emotionally. How has he grown?

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

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

8. Is Spenser's evaluation of Susan's attitude in Chapter 23 an accurate one? Why? Why not?

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

10. Why does Spenser send Paul and Patty to Susan's house in Chapter 13?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Spenser is not afraid to use physical force when he feels that it is necessary to accomplish his goal. However, he is very careful to use lethal force. Why do you think that is? Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Spenser feels that the only way to make Paul grow up and become self-reliant, and in turn survive, is for him to get away from his parents. When Patty comes back to Spenser to take Paul back, Paul refuses to go and Patty leaves without him. This begins Spenser thinking about issues like parental rights and kidnapping, which Susan is also concerned about.

Part 1) If you were Spenser, what would your thoughts on these two topics be, pertaining to Paul? Would you agree with Susan, or would you agree with Spenser?

Part 2) If you were Paul, what would your thoughts on these two topics?

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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