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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. Where could Bryson sneak a peek at the magazine in #78?

2. What was an insect that rose from the ground and could fly up someone's shorts?

3. What was the area set apart in the grocery where kids could read while their parents shopped?

4. By 1958, the average child in the United States carried ten times more _______________ than the year before.

5. In what unusual place did Bryson's father practice his exercise?

Short Essay Questions

1. What behaviors did teenagers exhibit in the 1950s?

2. How did Bryson get some insight into sex?

3. What particular times were especially long for kids?

4. Name some of the things that showed that life was simpler and safer in the 1950s.

5. How did Bryson describe Des Moines and the area of the city where he lived?

6. What is the premise of THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE THUNDERBOLT KID?

7. How did the Thunderbolt Kid get his powers and what were the circumstances of the Thunderbolt Kid getting his costume?

8. What sorts of things did Bryson and other kids do to help pass the long days?

9. Describe the events at the lake and why this was one of the best days of Bryson's life?

10. Who was The Thunderbolt Kid?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the point of view of this book? Why did Bryson use this point of view? Is it the only way the book could have realistically been written? How else could Bryson have used point of view to alter the rhythm of the book? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

There are several events of foreshadowing in the stories. Define foreshadowing. Cite at least two situations in the stories that serve as foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the overall settings for the book. What is important about each setting as it is revealed? What are the time periods of the stories? How important are the time periods to the attitudes and issues of the people?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,081 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample