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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 item does Paddy's father own that is in a red box?

2. What type of sandwiches does the Clarke family eat on their picnic?

3. What bread product does Paddy find the best for making "hosts"?

4. What does Paddy pour on a slug?

5. How does Paddy's ma fasten Paddy's trousers when she cannot zip them?

Short Essay Questions

1. What action during the family picnic causes Paddy to ruin Sinbad's biscuits? How does Paddy ruin the biscuits?

2. Using details from the text to support your answer, describe Mr. Hennessey, Paddy's teacher.

3. Paddy and his family go on a picnic. Describe how the picnic went and the general atmosphere of the picnic from Paddy's point-of-view.

4. Paddy and his friends became the Vigour Tribe for a day. What were some of the acts committed by the Vigour Tribe?

5. What are some of the rumors Paddy and his friends heard about the death of Sean Rickard? What actually killed Sean?

6. What happens to Paddy one day after they watch a Three Stooges movie at school?

7. Paddy states in the novel that the story of Father Damien was the best story Paddy ever read. Why does Paddy enjoy this story?

8. Describe some of the acts that Paddy and his friends committed that shows they were the town's troublemakers.

9. Using details from the text, describe what happens when Paddy and Kevin enter the nurse's office to have their marks checked.

10. Where does the Clarke family go for Sinbad's Holy Communion and what happens when they are there?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are some of Paddy's fears? How does fear play a central role in the novel? Are Paddy's fears substantial or just trivial?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the story Paddy often tells lies. What are some of the lies Paddy tells? Later in the story Paddy explains why he lies. Using details from the text and classroom discussion, explain why Paddy likes to make up stories that are not true.

Essay Topic 3

Using details from the text and class discussions, compare and contrast how Sinbad and Paddy respond to their parents' fighting.

(see the answer keys)

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