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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. What type of luck does Phoebe say she pressed in "Common Sense and Good Judgment"?

2. What does Phoebe put in her hair before her brother's memorial service?

3. Where does Phoebe say Mick's bow tie came from?

4. Why does Phoebe become angry with her friends at lunch in "Dogs Can Laugh in Heaven"?

5. What does Phoebe do when she is asked to take part in the assembly?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Phoebe react when she is first asked to take part in the bike safety assembly?

2. What does Phoebe say to the mail carrier in "Tap Dancing on God's Piano"?

3. How does Nana help Phoebe's family begin eating in the kitchen again?

4. What does Phoebe dream in "Dogs Can Laugh in Heaven"?

5. Why does Phoebe bring a Mother's Day card with her to Mick's memorial service?

6. What makes Mick decide to be cremated?

7. What happens to Phoebe and her friends when she first returns to school after Mick's death?

8. What does Zoe tell Phoebe in "Tap Dancing on God's Piano" that makes Phoebe feel better about Mick after his death?

9. What happens between Phoebe's family during the car ride to Mick's memorial service?

10. Why is Phoebe confused about God in "Tap Dancing on God's Piano"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define the turning point, or points, in this novel. How do these scenes change the characters, plot and major themes of "Mick Harte Was Here"? Is there one clear turning point or is it a series of smaller events? Why does the author structure the novel in this matter?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Mick's character development. Considering that his character dies early in the novel, how is he transformed into a whole character throughout. What is effective about the development of Mick? What is ineffective? Why does the narrator begin by announcing Mick will die?

Essay Topic 3

How is this novel a commentary on family? Consider Phoebe's family as well as Zoe's family. Also, how do non-related families (school, community, friends) work within this commentary?

(see the answer keys)

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