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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. When the story opens, the narrator is describing when his father left his mother. At that time, how much longer did the narrator still have in the "darkroom"?

2. According to Ms. Lemry during the abortion discussion, what is Ellerby prone to?

3. After Sarah Byrnes and Dale Thornton got into a major fight over what really happened to cause Sarah Byrnes' scars, how many more editions of "Crispy Pork Rinds" were printed?

4. What is the name of the newspaper the narrator and his friend created in junior high?

5. As Moby reflects on his date with Jody, Moby realizes that he needs to have a talk with someone. Who does Moby need to talk with?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Moby, why were he and Sarah Byrnes able to produce such a high-quality publication in junior high school when they published "Crispy Pork Rinds"?

2. In the CAT class, why does Ms. Lemry decide that the class will spend several days discussing the topic of abortion?

3. Name Mark Brittain's three brothers and one sister.

4. How does the narrator describe his hospitalized friend without spirit in her eyes?

5. According to his mother, what attribute does the narrator possess that his father did not?

6. Which of Moby's dysfunctional behaviors does his mother hate the most?

7. As the story opens, how does the narrator describe his mother?

8. According to what the narrator's hospitalized friend told him, why were her burns never surgically corrected?

9. What is the main reason that Moby does not let people get close to him?

10. According to what Ellerby tells Moby, why has Ellerby to this point stayed as far away from Sarah Byrnes as possible?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mr. Mautz wears different masks in the story. Both a respected school vice-principal and a bully to his students, Mautz is a study in contradictions. Identify, then compare and contrast the different sides/personas of Mr. Mautz. How would the entire plot have been affected if Mautz had not been successful at deceiving those around him? Why is it necessary for Matuz to wear different masks? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

Parental and authority figures play a crucial role in shaping the young people they are in contact with. Identify at least three parental and/or authority figures in the story. For each character identified, discuss who and how the parental/authority figure affects the story's main characters, as well as the character's overall impact on the story's plot. Finally, determine if the parental/authority figure was a good or bad role model and why. Use examples from the story to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Mr. Mautz seems to be a man who is supremely confident in his ability to come out on top - and in his powerful position at the school. Identify at least three instances from the story that highlight his confidence. How is Matuz helped by his utter confidence? How is Mautz hurt by his confidence? Provide examples of each.

(see the answer keys)

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