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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 does Ben think of Sammy's plan to blackmail Junior Palmer?

2. Why does Bull restrict Ben to just bread and tea before the game?

3. To what does Ben invite Mary Anne to attend with him?

4. How does Bull see God?

5. Who do the children have to wait on before opening gifts on Christmas morning?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Mess Night? What does it mean for the Meecham family?

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

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. Why is Ben the only one held after Sammy and Ben are arrested attempting to blackmail Junior?

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

7. Why does Ben invite Mary Anne to the prom?

8. What does Ben say to his father while taking him home after a night of drinking and fighting?

9. Why does Ben go to Toomer's even after Bull refuses to allow him to go?

10. What is the focus of Sister Loretta's discussion on sex? How does Ben react to this discussion?

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

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 3

Who is Toomer? What impact does Toomer have on Ben's life? Why? hat does Toomer do for Ben that Bull cannot? Why can Bull not be the father for Ben that he needs? Why can Toomer provide these missing things for Ben? What does Toomer's presence in Ben's life say about his relationship with Bull?

(see the answer keys)

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