View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Paul say Erik learned to kick for football?

2. What does Paul say ruined his move to Florida?

3. Why are Paul's parents arguing on Saturday?

4. What does Paul wear on the soccer field?

5. What is the name of the subdivision where Paul lives?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do Paul and his mother arrive in Florida, and what does Paul's father say when they arrive?

3. What does Paul say about how his mother has arranged their move?

4. What does Paul think about Arthur and Erik are saying about Mike?

5. Who comes by the house from the Owners' Association, who is his son and what happens when Paul's father returns home?

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

7. What does Paul think about if Erik died?

8. What does Paul hear Arthur and Erik saying about Mike Costello?

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

10. What does Paul's mother do about Mike's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Edward Bloor.

2. What in Bloor's background may have helped him in writing Tangerine? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Tangerine and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Tangerine is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Tangerine based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Tangerine is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider Tangerine a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,119 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample