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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 Junior say the score is after the first set in the volleyball game that Penelope plays in, in Chapter 16: "Rowdy Gives Me Advice About Love"?

2. What grade has Junior earned in "Let's-Make-Birdhouses Wood Shop" in Chapter 28: "My Final Freshman Year Report Card"?

3. How many songs do Penelope and Junior dance to at the Winter Formal?

4. What does Junior's father give him for Christmas after he returns home in Chapter 21: "And a Partridge in a Pear Tree"?

5. What role does Junior say epileptics once held in Indian tribes in Chapter 22: "Red Versus White"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What story does Arnold Spirit, Sr. tell his son in encouraging him to try out for the basketball team in Chapter 20: "Reindeer Games"?

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

4. What communication takes place between Junior and Rowdy in Chapter 16: "Rowdy Gives Me Advice About Love"?

5. How are the deaths of Eugene and Bobby described in Chapter 24: "Valentine Heart"?

6. How does Gordy respond when Junior asks for advice about love in Chapter 16: "Rowdy Gives Me Advice About Love"?

7. What philosophical discussion do Junior and Gordy have regarding race and identity in Chapter 18: "Don't Trust Your Computer"?

8. How does Penelope discover the truth of Junior's poverty? How does she respond?

9. What exchange takes place between Junior and the television reporter in Chapter 25: "In Like a Lion"?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the character of Mary Spirit in the novel. How much older is Mary than Junior? How has Junior described Mary’s behavior after high school in the beginning of the novel? What do you think is indicated by Mary’s behavior? What does Mary symbolize to Junior in the narrative?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the author uses symbolism, metaphor, and character to further illustrate the themes of identity and poverty in Chapter 11: “Halloween.” Consider Junior’s and Penelope’s Halloween costumes. What does each costume represent symbolically to the wearer? How is this relative to the theme of identity? How does Junior “identify” with poverty versus how Penelope identifies with this concept?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the financing and structure of Native American Reservations. When was the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passed and what was its objectives? How does gaming factor into the finances of Native American Reservations today? How many casinos are there and how do they fare financially? How are these realities depicted in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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