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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. Because of the Great Depression, people are in need of:

2. To whom does Cleopatra pale in comparison?

3. Why is Ralph's sporting choice so unusual?

4. What does Ralph claim to be several stories high at the fair?

5. What makes Cedar Lake so unique?

Short Essay Questions

1. What made Ralph think about an old Christmas present he received when he was a child in Chapter 1?

2. Why do you think Ralph wanted to be part of the Little Orphan Annie Secret Circle so badly?

3. What makes Flick think that Ralph has a dirty mind?

4. Why does Ralph retell Uncle Ben's joke if he truly did not understand the joke?

5. Why did Ralph stop at Flick's Tavern?

6. Is the blind date story an example of the Outsider Looking In theme or the Coming of Age theme? Why?

7. Give one example of how the Great Depression affected the Parker family?

8. Why didn't Ralph's parents both share the same feelings about the "major award"?

9. How is Ralph punished for damaging the family car?

10. What do Ralph and Wilbur have in common?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ralph has many theories about people that he shares throughout the book. One such theory is that people are put into two groups: Official People and The Rest of Us. Discuss Ralph's theory, and decide if he is correct or if there are faults with his theory. Use examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Which theme was the most powerful in the book and why? Cite examples.

1) An Outsider Looking In

2) Parents Versus Children

3) Nothing in Life Is Free

4) Life Is Not Fair

5) Coming of Age

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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