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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 Benji see the headlights pull into the driveway of his old house?

2. What sets off Benji's father's explosive temper?

3. What large item does Barry also throw into the fire?

4. What happens as Benji and Melanie are running away from Benji's old house?

5. What did Benji think of the concert at the time?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Benji feeling when he hears his parents pull into the driveway in Chapter 7?

2. Why is it problematic for Benji to have a crush on Erica?

3. What do Benji and his friends think of the bonfire?

4. What does NP get one of the members of Lisa Lisa to promise in Jonni Waffle?

5. What is Benji most concerned with when it comes to the beer in the forest?

6. Why do Benji and his friends stop watching the races in Chapter 8?

7. What is Benji thinking about one Saturday morning in Chapter 5?

8. How does Reggie try to avoid making his father angry?

9. According to Benji in Chapter 5, why was The Cosby Show so groundbreaking?

10. How does the older Benji look back at the Lisa Lisa concert?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the tone of the novel and discuss 3 literary devices that Whitehead uses to create that tone.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss at least 3 literary devices Whitehead uses within the first 2 chapters to help the reader better understand Benji as both a character and the protagonist. Make sure to use examples and/or quotations from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Describe at least 4 negative aspects of having a protagonist as young and naive as Benji. Make sure to use evidence from the novel to support your position.

(see the answer keys)

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