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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. As a child, what is Eliza especially good at?

2. How do Wilbur and Eliza create a genius mind in front of others?

3. What do people believe about Wilbur and Eliza when they are children?

4. Where is Melody and Isadore's construction site for their project?

5. What notable position has been held by Wilbur during his lifetime?

Short Essay Questions

1. Wilbur and Eliza want the Constitution amended for what purpose?

2. What is Wilbur doing at the beginning of Slapstick: Or, Lonesome No More!?

3. Who does Wilbur live with in Chapter 1?

4. Upon hearing the story "The Ugly Duckling," Eliza makes up her own ending. What does the duckling turn into?

5. When their father seems conflicted about their intelligence, how do Wilbur and Eliza react?

6. When Dr. Mott learns the truth about Wilbur and Eliza, how does he react?

7. When Wilbur and Eliza are separated, what do they do to cope?

8. Why are Wilbur and Eliza retested, with their parents watching?

9. What do Melody and Isadore use to build their pyramid?

10. Why does Kurt Vonnegut admire the performances of Laurel and Hardy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Wilbur and Eliza's parents visit them for their 15th birthday, the visit does not go as planned. Write an essay examining why this visit forced the circumstances of the children to change.

1) How does a typical birthday celebration play out for Wilbur and Eliza?

2) Why was this birthday different?

3) Why are the characters prompted to change.

Essay Topic 2

In the Prologue, Kurt Vonnegut discusses his heritage and why it had to be hidden away.

1) What is his heritage, and how did it shape who he is?

2) Why was he forced to hide his heritage?

3) How did this affect his life?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, the Chinese create inventions that could help Wilbur and Eliza resolve many of their physical and personal issues. These inventions are mentioned in passing. Select a moment in the text where one of these inventions are mentioned and analyze what this invention could resolve for Wilbur or Eliza.

(see the answer keys)

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