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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. Where did Henry's grandmother live?

2. What does Henry's mother give to Anna and her family?

3. Where does Big Henry say he will move after he sues the driver that hit Henry?

4. What is Henry's mother's reaction to the note from the principal?

5. What does Henry tell the principal?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Henry talk about in relation to the boys at his grammar school?

2. What does Henry's grandfather give him that is important to him?

3. What do Henry and Stanley agree upon that happens at school?

4. What does Henry's new teacher do with Henry's essay about the personal appearance of President Hoover?

5. What events transpired which led Henry to be sent to the principal's office?

6. What is a common theme among many of the children and adults by this point in the novel?

7. What sins does Henry make up when he can't think of anything he's done wrong during confession?

8. Why won't Big Henry's dream of moving to the South Seas and never working again be realized?

9. Describe the relationship between Lila Jean and Henry and the things they do together.

10. What happens when Henry's father drives to an orange grove to pick oranges?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay explaining why you believe the author often provides no explanation for words or actions. Think of the time Henry told the principal he would kill him as one example.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the relationship between Baldy and Henry. How does Henry justify to himself that he is similar to Baldy? Henry says that he doesn't like Baldy, but yet spends time with him and walks him home each day, why do you think this is the case.

Essay Topic 3

The character of Jimmy desperately wants to be friends with Henry. How does Jimmy show this? Do you think it helps or hurts his chances of being friends with Henry? Would you be friends with Jimmy? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 708 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample