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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. How do the rest of the children respond to Dr. Phyllis' new position?

2. What is on display in the Chute?

3. When Oly sneaks away to listen to a story while she is supposed to be watching Chick, what happens while she is gone?

4. Chick explains to Arty that he can feel things that normal people cannot. What is one thing that Chick says he can feel?

5. How does Zephr McGurk affect Arty's show?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of Mariposa and her horse's accident?

2. How does the family realize that Chick has special powers?

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

4. Why does Oly feel guilty after her performance at Miranda's work?

5. Who is Alma Witherspoon?

6. Why is Chick almost abandoned by the Binewski family?

7. Describe Arty's appearance.

8. Describe how we first see Oly's adult life.

9. Who is Leona, and what happened to her?

10. What is the profession of the Binewski family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The sick horse that appears on the twins' 14th birthday acts as the machine for many characters to take on new roles in the novel. In an essay, describe the different characters' reactions to seeing the sick horse and the way that either the appearance or the healing of the horse changed the roles of different characters. What does this horse symbolize in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Self-acceptance is a theme that runs throughout the entire novel and may essentially be the moral of this story. In an essay, discuss the ways that Oly has overcome her hurdles to accept her body. Explain the ways that Arty's refusal to accept himself led to some of his decisions, and

explain how you think the Binewski parents have helped/hindered their children in the road toward self-acceptance.

Essay Topic 3

The twins present an interesting relationship as they long to be individuals, but physically share one body. In an essay, discuss how the twins are characterized as individuals in the novel. Then, compare/contrast the ways that their shared body helps/hinders them. Finally, explore the twins' romantic relationships and explain how each suitor affects the each twin's relationship with the other.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 861 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample