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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 Paul think about his soccer try-outs?

2. What position does Paul play in soccer?

3. Who is at the principal's office Monday when Paul is called into the office?

4. What does Joey do when Paul tells the principal what he saw at the carnival?

5. How does Mike Costello die?

Short Essay Questions

1. What changes in Tangerine does Paul foresee and what does he think about himself and changes?

2. How did Erik learn to kick and what did Mr. Fisher do when Erik started playing football?

3. What does Paul wear when he plays soccer and what do the kids say about them?

4. What boy Paul's age does Paul meet and what does he see while Paul watches soccer practice?

5. What does Paul find out about the problem in question #3?

6. What makes the noise Paul hears when he leaves the principal's office and what do the students do about it?

7. What memory does Paul recall when he starts school on Monday?

8. Why is Paul put off the soccer team and what is his reaction when he hears about it?

9. What do the parents of the football players decide to do and how does the coach respond to their suggestion?

10. What does Paul and his mother learn about muck fires, and what happens when a thunderstorm hits?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Paul is caught up in a memory and he recalls a boy Erik's age asking why Paul wore such thick glasses. Erik explained that Paul had stared at an eclipse and that it had damaged his eyesight, prompting the other boy to call Paul "Eclipse Boy."

1. Do you think it was rude to ask Paul about his glasses or was it good for the boy to be honest about his curiosity? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Knowing that Erik caused Paul's blindness, what kind of internal conflict do you think Erik lying about the cause might be happening inside Erik? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. The boy calls Paul "Eclipse Boy" after hearing Erik's explanation. Why do you think a person feels a need to degrade someone or make someone feel different or inferior? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Paul says that he realizes it means extra driving, but that it's what he wants to do. His mother gives in. Paul is asserting himself a little more as he matures and this is an example of the theme, coming of age.

1. Do you think Paul asserting himself is a sign of maturity? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think that Paul not caring about his mother having to drive him farther is a sign of selfishness? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. What are some ways in which Paul seems mature for his age? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Paul tells his parents that he doesn't mind if his father doesn't pay any attention to him. This catches his dad's attention and instead of answering Paul's question as to whether Paul can change schools, his father goes back to that statement. He asks Paul what he meant and it seems he might be about to disagree with Paul's assessment that Erik's football takes precedence over everything, but then stops. Paul realizes that he doesn't get the same amount of attention from his father as Erik, and this does seem to bother Paul as it would any child.

1. Do you think Paul really doesn't mind the fact that his father does not pay attention to him? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Why do you think Paul's father does not pursue Paul's statement about how important Erik's football is as opposed to how important Paul is? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. What kind of messages do you think Paul's father is sending to Paul? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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