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. How old does Little Man's mother say he will be soon during dinner in Chapter 7?

2. How much money does Little Man give to Ara T in Chapter 3?

3. Why does Little Man decide to take a bath at the end of Chapter 7?

4. How old was Little Man when Mam came to live with his family?

5. What does Little Man discover that his mother has been secretly doing when she leaves the house in Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mrs. Worthington appear to Little Man when he sees her on Monday in Chapter 7?

2. What is foreshadowed by Little Man's observance of Big Sack watching him from the alley in Chapter 8?

3. What is Rat's real name? What is Rat's relationship to Little Man?

4. How is Little Man's experience at the restaurant described in Chapter 7?

5. How does Little Man say he is relating the story of the stabbing in Chapter 1? Why is he relating the story in this manner?

6. What are Little Man's first impressions of Mrs. Worthington? How does he meet Mrs. Worthington?

7. What is the second "clue" that Mr. Spiro gives to Little Man in Chapter 5? What does Little Man make of the clue?

8. What do Little Man and Mr. Spiro discuss when Little Man comes by on Friday for collection in Chapter 5?

9. What are Little Man's first impressions of Mr. Spiro? How is Mr. Spiro described?

10. Why does Little Man refuse Mam's offer for help with his collections for the newspaper route?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the themes of friendship and connection in Paperboy. With whom is Little Man friends in the beginning of the story? Whom does he befriend on his paper route? How does Little Man's sense of connection change in the course of the narrative?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the character of Mr. Spiro in the novel. How does Little Man meet Mr. Spiro? What are Little Man's first impressions of this character? How does Little Man's friendship with Mr. Spiro change him?

Essay Topic 3

How does Little Man evolve as a character in the course of the story? What is significant about Little Man telling his mother that he does not like pralines? How does this statement imply growth in Little Man?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 981 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample