View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the name of Idabel's twin sister?

2. Who does Florabel tell Joel has a crush on him?

3. Who does Joel realize the world must have a grudge against in addition to him during the religious service?

4. What is the name of the restaurant that is first seen in the book?

5. What does the eccentric hermit tell Joel in Chapter 5 that he wants to make for him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Joel want to go home and change clothes before going fishing with Idabel in Chapter 7?

2. How is Joel's new room at Skully's Landing described?

3. What is the nature of Idabel and Joel's discussion when she visits him in Chapter 10?

4. What does Joel see a woman doing in his room when he awakes at the beginning of Chapter 2?

5. What is the nature of Joel's first conversation with Florabel?

6. What does Sydney Katz ask of Sam Radclif at the beginning of the book?

7. How is Joel's first encounter with Zoo described?

8. What does Joel do during his breaks from being painted in Chapter 8?

9. How does Joel react after his haircut from Zoo is finished?

10. How are Joel's feelings described when he inverts during his first prayer service?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The subject of homosexuality is present throughout much of the book and offers an important insight into the nature of the book's characters.

Part 1.) What can the reader learn about the nature of the local's acceptance of homosexuality based on Idabel's need to escape the town and be her true self?

Part 2.) In what way might the author's portrayal of Joel represent the journey of first discovering homosexuality?

Part 3.) How might Randolph be seen as the most open and understanding of homosexuality in the book?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the symbolism of birds in the book. In what way might the bird trapped in Joel's room represent his own plight at the Landing and his inability to find love and comfort?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the book's characters' purpose and motivation for using of manipulation. What motivations did Randolph and Amy have for continually manipulating Joel into staying at the Landing first by stopping his letters to his aunt and later by taking him away when his aunt would come to visit him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 745 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample