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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. 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?

2. What does the man at the desk threaten to do in Chapter 25?

3. Spenser takes Paul to Louis'; what is Louis'?

4. What does Spenser say about ballet dancers?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

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

5. 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?

6. What type of character is Harry Cotton?

7. 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?

8. Why does Spenser believes that teaching Paul to run is important?

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

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

If you were the author of "Early Autumn", what is one aspect of the story that you would change? Why would you change it? How would it affect the overall story?

Essay Topic 2

Patty uses her sexuality and the act of sex to define herself and to measure her self worth.

Part 1) Do you think that is healthy? Why? Why not?

Part 2) How does that outlook hurt her ability to be a mother to Paul?

Part 3) How does that outlook influence Paul?

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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