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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 kind of business did Jack Gantos's father run?

2. Where did Tim Scanlon claim he was picking up merchandise in Section 1, Chapter 4?

3. What did Jack's friend Tim Scanlon need when he arrived in town?

4. What does Gantos refer to as men in prison who thrived on pain and suffering?

5. Gantos's father believed Rik to be a __________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Hamilton and the Japanese exchange as thank you gifts? How was it transported?

2. Describe the beginning of Gantos's journey in Section 2, Chapter 2. Where did he first sail?

3. What did Gantos discover in his discussions with Tim Scanlon? What plan did the two of them hatch?

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

5. What did Gantos learn from Hamilton along the journey in Section 2, Chapter 3?

6. How does the author describe St. Croix upon his arrival in Section 2, Chapter 1?

7. Why did Gantos take upon the job building the crate for Rik in Section 2, Chapter 1?

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

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

10. What did Gantos and Rik pack in the crate? How was Gantos paid?

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

Discuss Gantos's first experiences with marijuana in high school. What did Gantos think of the party he attended? When did marijuana come into popular use in the United States? How prevalent was it during Gantos's youth in Florida?

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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