View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where will Penny's family be going for summer vacation?
(a) To her Aunt Leta's and Uncle Earlon's.
(b) To Disneyland.
(c) To her Aunt Francine's and Uncle Donald's.
(d) To the Grand Canyon.

2. What does Frankie want Uncle Dominic to teach him?
(a) How to solve algebra problems.
(b) How to drive.
(c) How to repair cars.
(d) How to trim bushes.

3. What is the most significant mystery in Penny's life?
(a) Whether she was adopted.
(b) The circumstances surrounding her father's death.
(c) Why her mother's family does not socialize with her father's family.
(d) What type of personality her father had.

4. Which of the following baseball teams do Penny and her Uncle Dominic support?
(a) Dem Bums.
(b) New York Giants.
(c) Dem Sluggers.
(d) New York Yankees.

5. What decade is the setting for this story?
(a) 1980's.
(b) 1930's.
(c) 1950's.
(d) 1920's.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of Penny's relatives lives in a car?

2. What is Frankie lamenting in relation to Penny?

3. What does Mr. Mulligan do at the end of his date with Penny's mother (Eleanor) that disappoints Penny?

4. What does Penny's mother ask her to do as she gets ready to go out to dinner?

5. What does Penny select for her mother from her relative's clothing store?

Short Essay Questions

1. Based on the narrative in Chapter 9 of the book, how does Uncle Dominic try to guide Penny toward resolving her discontent when she runs from her house to him sobbing uncontrollably?

2. According to the text in Chapters 4 and 5 of the book, what action by Penny's mother leads Penny to believe that her mother is now in a happier mood than Penny has ever known her to be?

3. Based on the narrative in Chapters 7 and 8 of the book, how does Frankie show real concern for his family when his father loses his job?

4. According to the text in Chapters 7 and 8, what is discussed between Frankie and Penny while they are in the basement helping Nonny with the laundry?

5. Based on the text of Chapter 7 in the book, are there any annual events that Penny will be enjoying in the very near future?

6. Based on the text in the eleventh chapter of the book, what does Penny's mother do to assure an ambiance of comfort in anticipation of Mr. Mulligan's visit to her home for dinner?

7. Based on the narrative in Chapter 4 of the book, how does Pop-pop painting all of the household furniture with black lacquer affect Penny?

8. According to the text in Chapter 9 of the book, what contributes toward Penny storming out of the house on Saturday afternoon when Mr. Mulligan stops by to watch the ball game on television with her?

9. Based on the text in the sixth chapter of the book, in what way is Penny's paternal Uncle Nunzio generous to her?

10. According to the text in Chapters 4 and 5, does Penny have to endure any unwanted physical misfortunes as a result of Pop-pop painting the household furniture with black lacquer?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 972 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample