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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 did Joey do when his brother died?

2. From where is Paul Fisher's family moving to Florida?

3. What does Mr. Costello do when Erik and Mr. Fisher come home?

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

5. What does Paul wonder about Joey?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. What news does Erik tell Paul and Mrs. Fisher when Erik comes home from school on Tuesday?

9. 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?

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

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's father asks if Paul made the all county team, and Paul is angered by the question. He turns the tables, asking his dad how many games he'd played in, what position he'd played and pointing out very clearly that his father hadn't been to any games.

1. Why do you think Paul became angry at his father's question? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think it was right for Paul to point out to his father the obvious lack of interest Mr. Fisher seems to have in Paul's athletic endeavors? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. What do you think are the motivations behind Mr. Fisher's different interactions with his two sons? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,227 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample