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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 oath do friends John and Lorraine make at the beginning of the book regarding Mr. Pignati?

2. Lorraine notices that John lies to his family but his family ______.

3. After John's mother refuses to give him money for beer, what does he try to do?

4. What excuse does John give for not telling Norton and Dennis that Mr. Pignati wants to donate ten dollars to Lorraine's fake charity?

5. John's father wants him to get a part-time job where?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reason does Lorraine give for John wanting to be an actor?

2. What reason does Lorraine give for undertaking the writing project she's working on with John?

3. During their first phone conversation, why does Lorraine listen to Mr. Pignati's jokes?

4. Describe Norton, the bully.

5. Describe Bobo, Mr. Pignati's friend.

6. What does John dislike about Miss King, one of his teachers?

7. Describe what Lorraine, John, and their friends do at the cemetery.

8. Why do John and Lorraine call Miss Reillen, the librarian, "the Cricket"?

9. After the wild party at Mr. Pignati's house, how do John and Lorraine try to make their amends to their elderly friend?

10. Does John have a crush on Lorraine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. Analyze the depth and range of emotions John and Lorraine experience during the week when Mr. Pignati is recovering at the hospital.

2. During this week, do you feel the teens mature, regress, or a little of both? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Explain, in detail, what makes Mr. Pignati a tragic figure in this story. How does his suffering help other characters grow?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses a unique literary tool to tell a story in The Pigman. He has his two main characters retell the series of events in writing, in their own words through alternating chapters. Explain what makes this literary technique effective. How does it add interest level to the narration? How does the reader get a broader perspective through the use of this technique?

(see the answer keys)

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