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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. How old is Shawn when his father feeds him for the last time?

2. What sensory experiences does Shawn remember as they drive away from the scene of the accident?

3. Why does Shawn get confused about some aspects and experiences of life?

4. Shawn especially enjoys interacting with Becky when she places him where every day?

5. What does Dad throw at the crow?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Shawn learn to read?

2. According to Shawn, who is the Shawn in the poem written by his father?

3. What does Lindy say to her friend Connie about her feelings toward Sydney's abandonment of the family?

4. When Shawn first heard people referred to as "vegetables," what types of images did he envision in his head?

5. Despite his irritation at the world premiere reading of the poem, what things does Shawn like about the poem?

6. Why does Shawn need medicine to control the seizures?

7. Describe what the special education class at Shoreline High School is like according to Shawn, and how the students behave.

8. Why does Shawn think that his father is smart?

9. How does Shawn describe his father?

10. How does seeing the death of the dog make Shawn feel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Shawn remembers when he was four and his father attempts to feed him. Shawn's coughs food onto his father's face. He complains to his wife about how hard it is to deal with Shawn's disabilities. How does this incident typify Sydney McDaniel's reaction to Shawn's disabilities? Identify how often in his life has Shawn's father has fed him. According to Sydney, his anger during this incident is directed at what or whom? Why? When Sydney says he "can't do this any more." To what is he referring? Is Sydney's reaction to Shawn's disabilities valid or logical? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

One evening, Shawn is left with Vonda, his respite care provider. That evening, lying alone in the dark, Shawn hears his father come into the house. Vonda is a fan of Mr. McDaniel and asks for an autograph. How is Vonda's behavior toward Shawn and Sydney symbolic of the way they each are treated by the general population? How did this dichotomy come about? How does it affect Shawn's quality of life in general? What might it mean in particular on the night that Shawn's father's orders are followed unquestioningly? Provide examples from the novel to back up your point of view.

Essay Topic 3

Shawn mentions that he actually enjoys the weird irony that he is the smartest person in his class and yet he is considered the most ineducable. Irony seems to be a theme in Stuck in Neutral.

Part 1) Identify five instances of irony within Stuck in Neutral. Explain why these instances can be considered ironic. Identify each instance by the type of irony: verbal, situational, or dramatic?

Part 2) What is the function of irony within the novel? What is the author trying to get across to the reader by the use of irony? Is there a pattern? To support the argument, use examples from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,223 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample