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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 does the fella who went to Africa come back with in his stomach?

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

3. Who falls asleep one day when Mr. Hennessey tells the class to lay their heads down so he can talk to another teacher?

4. Where is Paddy's usual seat in the class after the spelling test on Fridays?

5. What item does Paddy prefer for starting fires?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the ceremony that Paddy and his friends sometimes played on Fridays.

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

4. Why doesn't Paddy ever answer Kevin's questions?

5. How does Paddy react when he is stung by a jellyfish?

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

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

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

9. When does Paddy's da usually teach Paddy new songs and what are some of the songs Paddy's father taught him?

10. Using details from the text, describe how Paddy's fort under the table is an indication that Paddy still wants to be a child.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Paddy's relationship with his brother, Sinbad. How does Paddy treat Sinbad throughout the story? How does the way Paddy treats Sinbad affect Sinbad?

Essay Topic 2

How does Paddy wanting to run away become a central plot element? How does Paddy prepare to run away and are there any holes in his plan? Use details from the class discussion and text to help support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Paddy's relationship with his ma. Do they have a good relationship? Why/Why not? Why does Paddy feel that his ma is the best ma in the neighborhood?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,137 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample