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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. According to Jody and Moby's discussion, what isn't getting talked about in the CAT discussion of abortion?

2. Who is the narrator going to the hospital to visit after finishing practice?

3. After doing 85 of the 100's, how many swimmers are left?

4. What is the name of Dale Thornton's father?

5. How does the narrator characterize the world in his CAT class discussion?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reason does Mark Brittain give to Ms. Lemry as an explanation for why he and Jody want to drop the CAT class?

2. Who is Huey-Dewey?

3. Why does Ellerby sometimes threaten to give his Rottweiler to Moby?

4. What is nearly impossible for Moby to admit to other people?

5. What is Ms. Lemry's initial argument to Mark when he tries to drop the CAT class?

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

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

8. Why does the narrator's English teacher call him Double-E?

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

10. 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"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, Moby is involved with two very different girls. Compare and contrast the relationship Moby has with Sarah Byrnes and the relationship Moby has with Jody Mueller. Then, compare and contrast these two women. How do these relationships influence not only Moby, but also the other people that are in his life?

Essay Topic 2

One of the main themes is this novel involves bullying.

a. Identify three characters that are bullies. For each character, describe an instance in which the character bullied someone else.

b. Why do these characters bully others?

c. What is the outcome for these characters? Were they successful in their endeavors or would they have been more successful if they had not tried to bully the other person? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast how the character of Mark Brittain changes as the story progresses. Be sure to include your assessment of Mark's character when he is first introduced at swim practice, when he confronts Ellerby in CAT regarding the abortion issue, when he accuses Jody of lying and when he finally seeks Moby's advice about how to repair the damage he has done. Use examples from the story to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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