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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. Why does David require help getting dressed?

2. What does David decide at the end of Chapter One?

3. What does David help the man find, that he has lost at the side of the road?

4. What does David do to rid himself of the bad feelings the boy causes?

5. What animal startles David one evening as is lying down?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how David saves Maria from the fire.

2. Explain why David doesn't believe he would be good at playing.

3. Describe David's response to his new surroundings, and why they are so powerful.

4. Why does David force himself not to think?

5. Describe how David comes to own a mirror, and his reaction to his own reflection.

6. Explain why David knows so little of himself, including where he is from, and what he looks like.

7. Describe David's first prayer.

8. Explain what the man tells David to do to escape.

9. Explain why David decides to stay with the family, when asked.

10. Explain why David thinks Angelo is stupid.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the novel, "the man" comes to symbolize all things evil and cruel in the world. By the end of the novel, however, it is revealed that "the man" is likely the reason David is alive. Analyze this character in depth. Who is he? How did he treat David? Why did he treat him as he did? What is revealed about him toward the end of the novel? How did he actually help David? Why did he help David? What does this say about David's concept of what is bad?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book, David shows himself to be clearly different than other boys. Pick two ways in which David is different, and discuss them in depth. What are these differences? How are they depicted in the novel? What do these differences stem from? Can David overcome them, or does he need to? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, there is constant contrast between the life David has led, and the life of the more privileged in society. Compare and contrast David's life with the life of others, making sure to touch on concepts such as freedom, choice, materialism, education, and self identity.

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This section contains 1,094 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample