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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. In Section 2, Chapter 3, a Coast Guard craft approached Hamilton and Gantos's boat and informed them that they were near ___________.

2. What did Rik ask for Gantos to build for him in Section 2, Chapter 1?

3. What is the name of the hotel where Gantos found himself living during his senior year in high school?

4. Why was Jack Gantos unable to attend school in San Juan?

5. What did Scanlon claim had happened to him when Gantos called in Section 1, Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Gantos do instead of departing for St. Croix?

2. Where did Gantos go after he was betrayed by Scanlon? What did he contemplate?

3. What is central in the exposition revealed in Section 1, Chapter 4? How is Gantos established as a character?

4. Where did Gantos's father take the family and point out criminals to Gantos?

5. Where did Gantos and Hamilton find fuel in Section 2, Chapter 3? Why was it necessary?

6. What presentation does Gantos describe at his school in Section 1, Chapter 3? What did he make of it?

7. Why did Gantos decide not to attend a university right away? How does he describe his meeting at a college in Section 1, Chapter 3?

8. Where did Gantos go after being kicked out of the Bacons' home?

9. How was Gantos inspired by the writing of Jack Kerouac in Section 1, Chapter 4?

10. Describe Gantos's low point in Section 1, Chapter 4. What did Gantos do during this time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the setting of St. Croix in the early 1970s and the business of John Gantos. Why was the business failing in St. Croix? What led to the uprisings? How did Gantos feel upon his arrival? How much hope did Gantos have for building money for college in this situation? What did the family hope to do?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the setting of Gantos' childhood in Pennsylvania and Florida. Where in each state did Gantos live? When did his family move to Florida? How does Gantos describe his family life and his father's business? How did Gantos feel about his father?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the career of the author, Jack Gantos. For what popular children's series is Gantos well-known? What awards has the author won for his writing? When was Hole in My Life published and what impact did it have on Gantos's career?

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