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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. Who does Paddy's da blame when the Clarke family's drain gets blocked once?

2. Where do Paddy and his family have a picnic shortly after they purchase their new car?

3. What does Paddy's mother put on the sting that Paddy received while he was swimming?

4. What is another issue that Paddy and his da like to discuss?

5. Where does Paddy sometimes sit for hours?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the random facts that Paddy tells the reader he learned from reading?

2. Describe Paddy and Sinbad's relationship using examples from the text to support your answer.

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

4. Using details from the text, describe how Paddy is stuck between being a child and becoming a teenager.

5. On some Fridays, Paddy's school would show a movie for the end of the day. What usually happened when the movies were shown?

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

7. What happens to Kevin's brother when he gets into big trouble?

8. Describe Paddy's relationship with his ma.

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

10. Describe what happens when Miss Watkins brings in a tea-towel with the Proclamation of Independence on it into Paddy's classroom.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using details and elements discussed in the class and in the text, describe how abuse was a central part of the plot. Is there only one abuser? How does abuse affect the relationships between the characters in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Paddy's relationship with his da. Do they have a good relationship? Why or why not? How does Paddy's relationship with his da compare to the relationship Liam/Aidan have with their da? What similarities do Paddy and his da share?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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