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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 problem does Zephr McGurk wish to alleviate for Arty?

2. What happens when Chick is hungry and Lil does not come to feed him?

3. What does Chick chant when Mariposa, a circus performer, has an accident that injures her and kills her horse?

4. What does Oly realize Arty is having with "norm" girls?

5. What does Arty begin predicting in his act in an attempt to draw larger crowds?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Alma Witherspoon?

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

3. What happens when Al takes Chick into town?

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

5. What happens when Oly visits Miranda at work?

6. Describe Olympia's appearance.

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

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

9. What is the profession of the Binewski family?

10. How is the twins' sick horse healed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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 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 816 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample