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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 musical instrument does Arnold Spirit, Sr. take with him when his family goes to spend the day at the cemetery in Chapter 29: "Remembering"?

2. What is the name of the rich white guy that speaks at Junior's grandmother's wake?

3. What month is it when Junior describes climbing the tree with Rowdy in Chapter 30: "Talking About Turtles"?

4. How old was Junior's father when he met Junior's mother for the first time?

5. Whose suit does Junior wear to the Winter Formal in Chapter 17: "Dance, Dance, Dance"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you describe Junior's circumstances during Christmas in Chapter 21: "And a Partridge in a Pear Tree"?

2. How does Mary describe her circumstances in her letter to Junior in Chapter 19: "My Sister Sends Me a Letter"?

3. Where does Junior go with his family in Chapter 29: "Remembering"? How does Junior describe the day?

4. What does Junior say about the virtue of tolerance in Chapter 22: "Red Versus White"?

5. What do Rowdy and Junior do together in the end of Chapter 30: "Talking About Turtles"?

6. What exchange takes place between Junior and Rowdy in Chapter 18: "Don't Trust Your Computer"?

7. Why is Junior particularly touched by his father's Christmas gift in Chapter 21: "And a Partridge in a Pear Tree"?

8. Describe the drawing that comprises Chapter 28: "My Final Freshman Year Report Card." What imagery appears in the illustration?

9. Why has the billionaire named Ted come to Grandmother Spirit's wake in Chapter 23: "Wake"?

10. How does Junior analyze the exchange that he and Rowdy have shared in Chapter 26: "Rowdy and I Have a Serious Discussion about Basketball"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Penelope’s dream of being an architect in the novel. Why does Penelope say she wants to study architecture? What is Penelope’s overall objective in doing so? How does Junior relate to this dream of Penelope’s?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character of Rowdy in the novel. How does Junior describe his best friend? What are Rowdy’s best attributes? How does Rowdy differ from Junior? How does Rowdy’s friendship with Junior change in the story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the relationship Junior has with his father in the novel. How has Junior’s relationship with Arnold Sr. evolved from the beginning of the story? Author Sherman Alexie has stated in interviews that some aspects of this novel are autobiographical, including the fact that Alexie’s father was an alcoholic. How did this impact Alexie and his works?

(see the answer keys)

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