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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 hat does Phoebe bring with her to the assembly?

2. What does Phoebe remember Mick saying he wished he could have taught their great-grandmother?

3. How does Phoebe say Mick tried to get out of going to their great-grandmother's funeral?

4. In "Dogs Can Laugh in Heaven", who does Phoebe think is waking her up?

5. What does Mrs. Berryhill say to Phoebe in "Dogs Can Laugh in Heaven" that upsets her?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does the school janitor say at Mick's memorial service?

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

4. How does Phoebe rebel in "Tap Dancing on God's Piano"?

5. What does Phoebe say about the dangerous intersection in "Common Sense and Good Judgment"?

6. Why does Zoe come over to Phoebe's house in "Tap Dancing on God's Piano"?

7. When Phoebe changes her mind about taking part in the bike safety assembly, what does she compare it to?

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

9. Why does Mrs. Berryhill call Phoebe into her office in "Common Sense and Good Judgment"?

10. What does Phoebe's father say about the dangerous intersection in "Common Sense and Good Judgment"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Trace the development of Phoebe's relationship with her mother. Consider their relationship before Mick's death as well. What major events change their relationship? How do they relate to each other at the end of this novel?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Phoebe's feelings about religion and God. What key questions does she ask? How are these questions answered? How does religion fit in with the rest of this novel?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the symbolism behind the objects in Mick's collection. Which objects represent Mick? Which represent other people? Which represent ideas and values? What does the collection symbolize overall?

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