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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. How do Ralph's parents fight about the "major award"?

2. What does Ralph think is being built with Lincoln Logs?

3. How did Ralph's father win the "major award"?

4. Who told the author his dream present was a bad idea because it would harm him?

5. What was the reaction of Ralph's mom to the "special kid thing"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the Used-Car Nut.

2. What does Ralph like about Treasure Island?

3. Describe the setting for many of the stories in the book--Hohman, Indiana.

4. Why is Ralph paralyzed with fear when he reaches the top of Magic Mountain?

5. Why is Ralph's encounter with the woman at the Automat so important to the story?

6. What does the reader learn about the main character in the opening chapter?

7. What does Ralph believe that every family has?

8. What skills does Wilbur Duckworth display during the final band performance of his high school career?

9. Why does Ralph think people in Northern Indiana like fireworks so much?

10. What does Ralph believe exists inside every male child?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Ralph and Wilbur Duckworth. What experiences do they share? What makes them different? What makes Ralph remember Duckworth with such clarity, so many years after they played in the marching band together? Define the term "social outcast" and how it relates to both Ralph and Wilbur. In what ways are they both social outcasts?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the Old Man and Ralph's mother. Why weren't they given actual names? What was their relationship like with each other? What was their relationship like with Ralph? How did they each influence and shape Ralph?

Essay Topic 3

The BB gun was an important gift in Ralph's childhood and remains something he clearly is fond of in his adult life. Why was it such an important gift and time in his life? Why does he remember every detail as an adult? What do you think he learned from that story?

(see the answer keys)

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