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

2. What does Paddy call a flashlight?

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

4. What is the boys' favorite thing to jump when they are playing chase?

5. How old is Paddy's da in the novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Paddy and his father go to the library?

2. 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.

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

4. Using details from the text, describe what it was like taking a family photo in the Clarke household.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Growing up, Paddy can often hear his parents fighting. At first the fights are few and far between, but as the novel progress the fights become more frequent and violent. Describe how Paddy tries to stop the fighting and why Paddy is conflicted by the fights.

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

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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