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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. Why does Zoe believe that Mick is everywhere?

2. Why does Phoebe ask Zoe where Mick is in "Tap Dancing on God's Piano"?

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

4. When does Phoebe call Zoe for a second time in "Tap Dancing on God's Piano"?

5. Why does Phoebe think she dreamed about Mrs. Berryhill?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How does Phoebe feel about returning to school after Mick's death?

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

6. What makes Mick decide to be cremated?

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

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

9. What does Phoebe say about the dangerous intersection 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

Compare and contrast the role of adults to the role of teenagers in helping Phoebe recover from Mick's death. How do they help her in similar ways? How do they help her in different ways? Which group seems to be most effective? Why?

Essay Topic 2

The end of this novel echoes back to the beginning by having Phoebe carve in the wet cement like she did as a child with Mick. Argue whether or not this closure is effective. Does is resolve all the conflicts of the novel? Does it provide enough closure for Phoebe? Why might the author have opted for this type of ending?

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?

(see the answer keys)

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