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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. What does Swami say a prayer for after it is no longer in his paper boat?

2. What does Swami’s teacher, Vedenayagam, write on his paper in Chapter 1?

3. What does Rajam tell Mani and Swami they can do with his toys?

4. What subject is Swami learning at the end of Chapter 7 after his baby brother is born?

5. What part of the school does Swami avoid for fear his headmaster might be there at the start of Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rajam know the room they are in is not Swami’s during his visit to Swami’s house in Chapter 5?

2. Describe Swami’s conversation with Granny about Rajam at the start of Chapter 3.

3. How does Swami’s father react to the examination list Swami has written in Chapter 8?

4. What does Mani tell Swami he plans to do to Rajam in Chapter 2?

5. What happens at Nallapas Grove between Mani and Rajam?

6. What does Mani talk to Swami about while walking to Rajam’s to find out what their promised surprise is in Chapter 6?

7. How does Mani show his allegiance to Swami when he finds out about his new nickname of Tail in Chapter 5?

8. Which of Swami’s father’s arguments about why he should study for exams inspires Swami to study?

9. What class does Swami stare at while bored in Vendanayagam’s class in Chapter 1?

10. How does Swami prepare for Rajam’s first visit to his house in Chapter 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Swami speaks more openly with his grandmother when at home, yet also finds himself getting very angry with her. Analyze Swami’s relationship with his grandmother and how it represents the theme of Swami’s growing up.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Swami’s relationship with Mani. Use examples from the text to show how this relationship helps to develop Swami’s character.

Essay Topic 3

Swami experiences personal changes throughout the novel. In what ways does Swami change and in what ways does Swami remain the same? How do these changes develop the theme of growing up?

(see the answer keys)

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