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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. Who takes the dressmaking dummy from Tabitha's bedroom?

2. What does Owen leave on Johnny's porch in an attempt at an apology?

3. How old was Johnny when his mother died?

4. Where do the students typically lock Owen?

5. What does Owen present to Dan and Tabitha as a wedding gift?

Short Essay Questions

1. Briefly explain this quote: "God has taken your mother. My hands were the instrument. God has taken my hands. I am God's instrument."

2. Explain the situation that Johnny will later describe as his sexual awakening.

3. What happens when Johnny and Owen are investigating empty dorm rooms at Gravesend over the Christmas holiday?

4. What does Owen predict when he and Johnny are down by the Squamscott River?

5. What does Johnny see when he travels to Tabitha's grave for the first time?

6. What is Owen's view of Tabitha's dressmaking dummy?

7. What changes does Owen make to the Christmas pageant once he becomes the director?

8. Who is Dan Needham, and what does he look like?

9. How do the other Sunday school students treat Owen?

10. What does Owen gift to Tabitha and Dan as a wedding gift?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While exploring the dorm rooms at Gravesend, the boys are initiated into the worlds of puberty and sexuality. Compare and contrast the boys' expectations of puberty with what they actually experience. Why might John Irving have included sexuality as a major theme within his novel?

Essay Topic 2

The relationship between Owen and Johnny is a complicated one. In an essay, argue whether you believe Owen controlled the relationship selfishly, or whether he had Johnny's best interests in mind. What statement does John Irving seem to be making about friendship through Owen and Johnny's relationship? Be sure to support your theory with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Both pride and confidence come into play in the novel, and both have serious consequences to events within the novel. In an essay, explain the difference between pride and confidence. What effects do each characteristic typically have in situations?How does pride irrevocably changed the outcome of both Christmas productions. Finally, choose one character in the novel and explain why you would consider him or her prideful over confident. How has that pride affected this character's life? What has come of this character's pride?

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