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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 realize about Erik and Arthur related to Mike's death?

2. Who does Paul think Erik will date?

3. Who are waiting for Paul and his mother in Tangerine?

4. What does one parent tell Mrs. Fisher about his son and practice?

5. What does Paul realize when he watches the Middle School soccer practice?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. To what does Paul wake on August 9, who does he tell and what does she say to him? What do they do about the problem?

5. What does Paul think about if Erik died?

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

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

8. What is Paul's mother's response about him being kicked off the soccer team?

9. Where does Paul's mother take him on Monday and what does she do there?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in Tangerine. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in Tangerine. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in Tangerine. Consider the death of Mike as an random act of nature and the death of Luis as the result of conscious violence. Consider also in your answer the death of innocence in Paul from the beginning of the book to the end.

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