View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What city do Owen and Johnny travel to on their holiday from school?

2. How do Hester and Johnny respond to Owen's transfer?

3. What does Owen write in an attempt to coax Johnny's father out of hiding?

4. Who/what does Owen think that the nuns torture?

5. On the night of the Christmas play, which character is hinted to be able to see the future?

Short Essay Questions

1. As an adult, what is Johnny discussing with Canon Mackie?

2. What significant events happen when Randall White is elected headmaster?

3. What does Tabitha's old singing teacher tell the boys?

4. What does the letter that Johnny receives from the draft board say?

5. What does Owen hope to do upon graduation from the University, and why?

6. What is ironic of Johnny's job as an adult?

7. Who is Katherine Keeling?

8. How does Barb Wiggin treat Owen, and what is his reaction?

9. What does Johnny think he sees when he is peering out at the audience from backstage during the Christmas pageant?

10. What did Tabitha tell the boys about her red dress?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Johnny's stuffed armadillo becomes a symbol for the relationship that Owen and Johnny have with each other. In an essay, compare/contrast what the armadillo means to both Johnny and Owen as individuals. What do they use it for? How the physical changes in the armadillo represent the changes that happen in the boys' relationship. How the armadillo comes into play with the fruition of Owen's destiny? How does the symbol of the armadillo return?

Essay Topic 2

Hester Eastman plays the role of an important romantic interest for both Johnny and Owen. In an essay, compare/contrast young Hester Eastman with the adolescent Hester Eastman. What characteristics did the boys find attractive about her at both ages? How would you describe the relationships that Johnny and Owen had with Hester? How were they the same? How were they different? Which relationship seemed to make more sense? Even though there were deeply unhealthy behaviors in both, which relationship could you have seen lasting longer? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Owen Meany's faith that he is an instrument of God makes up a large part of his character. Choose two characters in the novel and compare/contrast their views on whether or not Owen was an instrument of God. How does Owen's history and beliefs affect their views of him?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 717 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample