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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 old was the boy's father when he was left in charge of the family?

2. What is the first physical change Francis and Frances encounter?

3. In October of 1952, where is the boy sent to live?

4. What does the boy's father do for a living?

5. What novel is the first book the boy has ever read?

Short Essay Questions

1. What strong religious beliefs of his community does the boy share in the beginning of Chapter 1?

2. What causes the rat infestation mentioned in Chapter 3?

3. Describe the narrator.

4. How does the boy get rid of the rat problem?

5. Who is Tony and what happened to him?

6. The theme of disappearance is further discussed in Chapter 2. Explain.

7. How is the novel The Shan Van Vocht an example of female symbolism?

8. How do we see the boy react and respond to his circumstances in Chapter 1 instead of accepting them at face value?

9. Why is the disappearance of Uncle Eddie such a mystery?

10. When the boy's father takes him and his brother Liam out on the boat, what does his father reveal to them and why does it make the boy feel uncomfortable?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Good vs. evil is an important theme in the novel. Show how three characters made the wrong decision in regards to Eddie's death and explain what they should have done differently.

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of disappearance and death as themes in the novel?

1. Are these themes important to keeping the secret a mystery to the boy?

2. How does the story of Eddie's death change for the boy as more people disappear or die?

3. How are the stories told by the characters (Sean, Francis, Frances, Brigid, Claire Falkener, Grenaghan, etc.) all related to this theme of death and disappearance?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of secrets within the text. What kind of impact does secret-keeping have on the characters of the novel? How does it affect the plot as it progresses? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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