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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 is Chick's birth name?

2. Which ailment of age does NOT affect Crystal Lil?

3. Which name does Iphy say in her sleep, infuriating Elly?

4. How does Crystal Lil watch television?

5. What do Oly and Miss Lick watch together?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the twins' sick horse healed?

2. What happens when Arty asks Chick to make him a roast beef sandwich?

3. What happens between Arty and Chick when Oly sneaks off to listen to a story, leaving Chick unsupervised?

4. What happens when Oly visits Miranda at work?

5. Describe Arty's appearance.

6. What is the unusual offer that Miranda been approached about, and how does she react?

7. Why does Al choose to keep the children separate from the rest of the town folk?

8. What does Oly keep in the chest in her apartment?

9. What happens to the Binewski family in the parking lot of the shopping center?

10. How does Arty begin drawing larger crowds to his shows?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chick's powers are considered the most valuable and the most dangerous of the Binewski children. In an essay, discuss the way that different family members view Chick, and how they exploit Chick and his abilities. Finally, describe the way that Chick views himself and similarly, how he views his powers.

Essay Topic 2

Early in the novel, Oly says, "They thought to use and shame me but I win out by nature, because a true freak cannot be made. A true freak must be born." In an essay, explain the circumstances that led to Oly speaking these words; what contributes to Oly's ideas of a freak being made versus being born? Describe two ways that you believe the Binewski children have been made into "freaks."

Essay Topic 3

The picture of Oly's relationship with her mother changes drastically in the first two chapters of the novel - the first chapter addresses Oly's relationship with Lil when Oly is a child, and the second chapter addresses Oly's relationship with her mother as an adult. In an essay, compare and contrast these two relationships explaining why you think the relationship has changed. Which picture of the mother-daughter relationship is healthier?

(see the answer keys)

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