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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 Kaori tell Gen is a problem Pisces are plagued with?

2. What derogatory name does Chet Bullens often call Virgil?

3. According to Valencia, what alternative name were her parents thinking of using for her?

4. What happened to Frederico the Sorrowful in Virgil's grandmother's story?

5. Which of the following is a signature phrase of Kaori's?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 12, who comes to Valencia's door early on Saturday morning and how do they treat her?

2. In Chapter 1, why does Lola suspect that Virgil is looking upset?

3. Who is the student from Virgil's school who bullies him, and what does the bully usually say?

4. In Chapter 11, what does Lola warn Virgil about for the day ahead?

5. In Chapter 3, what is a criticism Lola has of Virgil's mother when it comes to food?

6. Why does Valencia think of Chet Bullens as "Scrunch"?

7. In Chapter 1, what is one reason Virgil considers himself a failure?

8. In Chapter 13, what is Chet Bullens's motivation for trying to catch a snake in the woods?

9. In Chapter 5, what does Virgil suspect is wrong with Gulliver, and why does he think this?

10. In Chapter 16, why is Virgil even more scared of encountering Chet Bullens than usual?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapters 8-10 take place in the Super Saver grocery store where Virgil, Chet, and Valencia are all present at the same time. Write an essay analyzing what the reader learns about each of these three characters, and their intersecting relationships, from these three chapters.

Essay Topic 2

Which characters in the book does Valencia identify as being particularly mindful of her "How-tos," or her simple set of three rules for making it easier for her to understand what people are saying to her? What does it mean to Valencia when people respect her request and make an effort to try to communicate effectively with her?

Essay Topic 3

How have both Virgil's and Valencia's attitudes towards trusting their peers - namely, Kaori and Gen - changed from the start of the book to the end? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references from the text to support your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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