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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the most notable difference between Shawn's father and Earl Detraux?
(a) Compassion.
(b) Age.
(c) Income.
(d) Education.

2. Who gathers with Shawn to watch his father's episode of The Alice Ponds Show?
(a) Mom and Paul.
(b) The extended McDaniel family.
(c) Cindy and Paul.
(d) Lindy, Cindy, and Paul.

3. What does Shawn's father say he did, night after night, when Shawn was born?
(a) Pray.
(b) Sink into a depression.
(c) Cry.
(d) Rage against the truth.

4. After Shawn's father sits on Shawn's oversized crib, what does he put in his lap?
(a) A mobile.
(b) Shawn.
(c) A quilt.
(d) A pillow.

5. According to Shawn, how often does Shawn visit his father's house?
(a) Never.
(b) Many times during his seizure travels.
(c) Once when he is four.
(d) Once a month.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the interview when Alice Ponds mentions voluntary euthanasia, what is she implying?

2. What are the first word or words that Shawn's father has ever heard Shawn speak?

3. What type of audience does The Alice Ponds Show attract?

4. In Chapter 14, who refers to Shawn as "baby boy"?

5. According to the interview of Earl Detraux on the Alice Ponds Show, what does Earl seem to think was significant about Collin's behavior while he was dying?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is apparent about the relationship between Paul and his father after Paul finds out that his father wants him to go on the Alice Ponds show?

2. How does Shawn describe the African animal mobile that hangs over his bed, and why does he describe it in this manner?

3. Which characters are going to Spokane in chapter 13 and why is it significant that they are going?

4. Why is it significant that Shawn's father volunteers to take care of Shawn by himself overnight and sends Vonda home?

5. What does Shawn mean when he says that "invisibility has its advantages" when it comes to girls?

6. What is the Annie-Sullivan-meeting-Helen Keller-in-The Miracle-Worker routine and what does Shawn think about it?

7. In Chapter 14, Shawn dreams that his father sees angels. What is the significance of the angels?

8. Why is Vonda excited to meet Shawn's father?

9. What is Sydney McDaniel's definition of parental love, as offered on The Alice Ponds Show?

10. Paul and Cindy discuss their father's appearance on The Alice Ponds Show. What do they think about what their father says on the show?

(see the answer keys)

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