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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. Who is Junior Palmer with?

2. What does Mary Anne believe is Ben's motivation for the invitation?

3. What does Mary Anne tease Ben about?

4. Who does Sammy see at lover's lane?

5. Who tells Ben she often thinks of dying?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Bull restrict what Ben can eat on game day?

2. What is Ben's biggest fear as he tries out for basketball?

3. Why does Mary Anne call the bar where Bull and his squadron are drinking together, pretending to be Lillian?

4. What is the significance of the story Mary Anne tells on Christmas Eve as the family waits for Bull to get ready for church?

5. How does being Jewish affect Sammy?

6. Sammy arranges a date with a college girl by using a fake name. What does this say about Sammy's attitude toward women?

7. Ben teases Mary Anne about how much he will miss her when he goes to college. What does this say about their relationship?

8. What is significant about the sexual discussions in the locker room?

9. Who instructs the male students on sex during catechism? Why?

10. What does Mary Anne confess to Ben during the prom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the military. What is significant about Bull's military career as it affects his family? How does Bull feel about the Marines? Does his family feel the same? Compare and contrast the way Bull and his family view the military. How does Ben feel about the Marines? Does Ben want to be a Marine? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss abuse. What is abuse? What are the different types of abuse? How many different types of abuse can you find in this novel? Give examples of each. Who is the perpetrator of abuse in this novel? Who are the victims? Why are these people victims?

Essay Topic 3

Why does the Meecham family move to Ravenel? Why are the children unhappy about this move? What is different about this move than other moves the family has endured? Why does Mary Anne begin to cry in the car? Why does Mary Anne throw her tears at her father? What does Mary Anne blame her father for? Why is Mary Anne not afraid of her father? Should Mary Anne be afraid of her father? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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