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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. How does John describe Mr. Pignati after their first meeting?

2. What does John say happens to all the people who work with his father?

3. What does Mr. Pignati offer John and Lorraine, who are posing as charity workers, after he invites them into his house?

4. Lorraine feels that John needs to make up interesting stories about his life because he is _______.

5. Why does Lorraine listen to Mr. Pignati's jokes over the phone?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain what Lorraine says about the book reports she and John write.

2. Why does John's father stop drinking?

3. From the first chapter, what can you deduce about John's character and personality?

4. How does getting busted at a wild party become a turning point for Lorraine in her relationship with her mother?

5. How does John convince Lorraine that it's all right for them to cash the check they collected from Mr. Pignati under false pretenses?

6. What do Lorraine and a friend, Helen, do at the party at Mr. Pignati's house?

7. Describe the picture of her parents that Lorraine keeps.

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

9. What does Mr. Pignati explain about the charge card John finds in the man's house?

10. What does Mr. Pignati purchase for Lorraine and John at Beekman's?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain how the author carries out the following themes in his book, using specific examples:

1. Making choices and living with the consequences.

2. Taking responsibility for one's actions.

3. Coming to terms with events and conditions that are beyond one's control.

Essay Topic 2

Is Mr. Pignati the hero in this story? Why or why not? Do you attribute heroism to any other character(s) in this book?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the symbolic meaning the author is trying to attach to the the following:

1. Mr. Pignati's extensive pig collection.

2. John's and Lorraine's roller skates.

3. Bobo the baboon.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 906 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample