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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 begins to visit the boy's mother regularly in Chapter 6?

2. Why is the boy punished in 1954 by the Dean?

3. Who was McIlhenny involved with before he marries Katie?

4. What eventually happens to Danno?

5. Why does the boy's mother warn him to stay away from the person she warns him about?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the boy again upset with his mother at the end of Chapter 5?

2. What is the boy punished for by the Dean and what is his punishment?

3. What does the boy recall about "unconditional love"?

4. What happens to Jimmy and Claire?

5. What does Father Nugent talk to the boy narrator about and why does it make him uncomfortable?

6. What does the boy believe about his loyalties to his parents as he sets off to college?

7. Why does Katie's family refuse to attend Meave's wedding?

8. How does the boy conclude that it was his mother who tipped off McIlhenny?

9. What causes the boy to realize his mother doesn't care what he reveals to anyone?

10. What does the boy's mother say that upsets Katie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, the boy encounters and overcomes many difficult situations in order to piece together his family's history and to find out what happened to his uncle. The story is riddled with sadness, death, poor choices, and loss; how can this story be redeemed? Is there any hope in this story? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 2

How does the historical context of Northern Ireland affect the story itself? How does it affect the characters and the mystery of Eddie's death? Why is it important to know the historical context to fully understand the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Which characters in the novel would be considered guides for the boy narrator? What do they teach him? Are they positive or negative mentors?

(see the answer keys)

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