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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. In the chaos of packing to drive to Spokane, who tries to kiss Shawn's forehead?
(a) Ally.
(b) Mom.
(c) Vonda.
(d) Dad.

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

3. In Chapter 14, who refers to Shawn as "baby boy"?
(a) Shawn's father.
(b) The angels.
(c) Shawn's mother.
(d) Shawn.

4. What does Shawn's mother call Cindy and Paul downstairs to discuss the morning after Ally spends the night?
(a) The murder of a disabled child.
(b) Appearing on a talk show.
(c) The video Shawn's father made at his school.
(d) A made-for-television movie.

5. While at the Pacific Science Center, Shawn indicates someone "looks a lot more 'mad' back then." Who is Shawn referring to?
(a) Earl Detraux.
(b) Alice Ponds.
(c) Einstein.
(d) Sydney McDaniel.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the interview of Earl Detraux on the Alice Ponds Show, what is his quality of life like currently?

2. What happens at the very end of chapter 16?

3. Shawn, Cindy, and Paul all know what when it comes to their father?

4. Cindy says something on the Alice Ponds Show that Paul calls "classic." What does she say?

5. In Chapter 12, what is Paul's punishment?

Short Essay Questions

1. On The Alice Ponds Show, there is a clip of an interview between Sydney McDaniel and Earl Detraux. What does Earl Detraux look like and what is his demeanor?

2. What does Shawn try to tell his father over and over again in Chapter 16, and why?

3. The morning after Ally spends the night, why does Shawn think that something is wrong?

4. What did Shawn's father do at the Pacific Science Center when Shawn was eight years old?

5. After he sees his father's appearance on The Alice Ponds Show, why does Shawn say that he is floating in an ocean of negativity?

6. Why does Paul grab Cindy by the shirt front and pull back his fist to hit her?

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

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

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

10. Shawn looks at his father, who is sitting on the bed apparently considering whether or not he should end Shawn's life. What does he notice about his father's appearance?

(see the answer keys)

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