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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Maniac say Amen after Grayson finishes reading his first book?
(a) Maniac had prayed Grayson would succeed.
(b) Maniac is glad it is over.
(c) Maniac says Amen is for when someone does something you really like.
(d) Maniac prays for Grayson to do better next time.

2. What does Maniac say to the passersby when he first runs to Two Mills?
(a) "Where am I?"
(b) "Who are you?"
(c) "Hi."
(d) "What day is it?"

3. What doesn't Maniac do in his new home at the Beales?
(a) Take out the trash.
(b) Sleep in his bed.
(c) Read to the children.
(d) Wash the dishes.

4. What does Grayson teach Maniac after their many weeks together?
(a) How to feed the buffalo.
(b) How to mend fences.
(c) How to pitch.
(d) How to line a baseball diamond.

5. Why does Amanda stay up late the night of her argument with Maniac?
(a) She is crying and can't sleep.
(b) He left and has not come home, so she waits for him.
(c) She is too angry to sleep.
(d) She had kicked the dog and hurt him.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Maniac want from Amanda at the end of Chapter 13 that she won't give him?

2. How did the gas station attendant trick Grayson when he was a rookie?

3. Where did Grayson play baseball?

4. How long does it take Maniac to untie the Cobble's Knot?

5. What is the first book Grayson reads cover to cover?

Short Essay Questions

1. What stops McNab and the Cobras from chasing Maniac after the home run hit? What does this say about the boys?

2. How does Grayson handle the unconscious Maniac when he discovers him in the buffalo pen?

3. How does Grayson's background shape the man he has become today?

4. The fact that Maniac takes a nap during the untying of the famous knot says a lot about the way he perceives the event. What does it say?

5. How is it that Maniac could have a meal at the Pickwell house and nobody questions his presence?

6. How does Maniac help others and what are his motives in doing so?

7. Maniac's life tale may be bigger than he actually is. What begins the exaggeration in Chapter 2?

8. How does Maniac manage to infuriate McNab and does he do it on purpose?

9. Why does Amanda think the Cobble Knot will solve Maniac's problems?

10. Why won't Maniac go to school?

(see the answer keys)

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