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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 was Penny's mother wearing in the photo behind which Penny's father wrote, "I am the luckiest fella ever"?

2. What state is the setting of the story?

3. Which of the following is the name of Penny's mother?

4. Where do Penny and Pop-pop enjoy a hamburger and a sundae?

5. What does Pop-pop ask Mr. Mulligan?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. 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?

3. According to the narrative in the eleventh chapter of the book, what takes place before Penny receives her shiner from Veronica?

4. According to the text in Chapter 3 of the book, are any signs visible signs of what may be spousal abuse that Frankie and Penny detect while making a delivery stop at Mrs. Giaquinto's house and speaking with her briefly?

5. 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?

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

7. 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?

8. Based on the text in Chapters 7 and 8 of the book, do Pop-pop and Penny buy anything while they are out for a walk?

9. Based on the narrative in the first chapter of the book, how are Penny and her Uncle Dominic "different" from other baseball fans in their community?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the beginning of the story, Eleanor, Penny's mother, states that if Frankie is going to work alongside Penny, then she will feel comfortable allowing Penny to work. In making that statement, Eleanor implies that Frankie is an individual that would help assure that Penny would not get into any trouble, as long as Frankie is around her as she performs her job. For that reason perhaps, Eleanor did not show any resistance toward Penny spending time with Frankie. When Frankie goes to court toward the end of the book, it should not be overlooked that he was scared to go there because the judge had previously told him that he did not want to see him back in court again. Was Eleanor not aware of Frankie's court-related past when she based her decision to allow Penny to work on whether Frankie would be working alongside her? Looking back at the the misadventures that Frankie and Penny get into throughout the story however, was Eleanor's assumption of Frankie's character type and influence correct or incorrect? Why or why not? Cite story text and/or paraphrase scenarios from the book in support of your position.

Essay Topic 2

Family togetherness is an apparent overall theme that is illustrated throughout Penny from Heaven. For example, even though Penny's father is deceased, his side of the family still includes Penny in their lives, and Penny does not seem to resist including them in hers. Explain how Penny's father's family (the Faluccis) maintain a familial-type closeness with Penny; and how she shows that although her father is gone, his family - the Faluccis remain very much a part of her life.

Essay Topic 3

Introduced early in the story, Penny's Uncle Dominic lives in a car in the Faluccis' front yard. As the story continues, it becomes evident that the man is stable in many ways, and in fact, is a source of stability in Penny's life - always there to rescue Penny, listen to her problems, fix the toilet, and listen to the ball games on the car radio with her. Is he merely a misunderstood eccentric sort living in a car? Does he live in the car because he is frugal? Or does he live in it because he is poor? Cite text and/or paraphrase scenarios from the book to support your position.

(see the answer keys)

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