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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 fights Bull?

2. How does Ben feel about Mr. Loring's teasing?

3. Who is Junior Palmer?

4. With whom has Sammy arranged dates for himself and Ben the day after Christmas?

5. What does Sister Loretta say is a form of self abuse and therefore a sin?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does being Jewish affect Sammy?

2. What does Sammy see at lover's point? What does he hope to do with the information?

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

4. Bull dies a hero. How does this affect the family dynamics?

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

6. Sammy's date is brutally raped after he is forced out of his car. What impact will this episode have on Sammy and the people of Ravenel?

7. Whom does Ben recall during try outs? What impact did this man have on Ben's life? What was Bull's role in this relationship?

8. Why does Ben want to avoid the local hang-out after being thrown off the basketball team/.

9. Why is Arrabelle frightened for Toomer in the aftermath of the rape?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Bull begin going to Hobie's Grill? What is significant about Bull's behavior in public compared to his behavior at home? Why is Bull different in public? What does this say about the behaviors of an abuser? How does this behavior make seeking help more difficult for the abuser's family? Is this behavior stereotypical? What other stereotypes exist in this book? List as many as you can.

Essay Topic 2

Who is Red Pettus? Why is Red cruel to others? Who does Red chose to pick on? Why? Does Red pick on Ben? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Who is Sammy Wertzburger? How is Sammy significant to the story? What does Sammy's friendship mean to Ben? How does this friendship change Ben? Is this Ben's first close friend?

(see the answer keys)

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