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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. Which ailment of age does NOT affect Crystal Lil?

2. Who does Alma say that she desires to be like?

3. How does Crystal Lil watch television?

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

5. Why does Crystal Lil take the children into town?

Short Essay Questions

1. What significant event happens on the twins' 14th birthday?

2. What does the article Oly finds tell us about Dr. Phyllis time in medical school?

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

4. Why does Oly visit Miranda in her apartment?

5. Describe Olympia's appearance.

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

7. What does Lil Binewski do that is unusual during her pregnancies?

8. Describe the invention that Zephr McGurk brings to Arty.

9. What happens when the children are brought to the hospital?

10. What is the profession of the Binewski family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Bag Man's arrival to the Binewski Fabulon is a highly significant event. It is as unexpected as it disturbing. In an essay, explain what you know about the course of the Bag Man's life and why he has sought out a job from Arty. Why you believe Arty chose to hire the Bag Man? The Bag Man expresses that he didn't want his children to become freaks. Explain how his actions have helped or hindered his children's psychological maturation.

Essay Topic 2

As the novel progresses, it becomes clearer and clearer that Arty has taken full control of his family. In an essay, explore the progression of Arty's gradual control of the family through the course of the novel. Explain what you think is the psychology behind Arty's need for control. Is he an inherently "bad" person, or is it something deeper that Arty is searching for? Choose one of Arty's siblings and express how his control has affected that sibling's life - either positively or negatively.

Essay Topic 3

The final scene of the novel has to do with Oly's sacrifice in the name of love. In an essay, explore the reasons behind Oly's obsession with Miss Lick and why she believed that killing her was the only answer. How is the love in Oly's relationship with Miss Lick similar or different to the love in Oly's relationship with Miranda? Was Oly's sacrifice was "worth it" in the end?

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