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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. In his nightmare, what is Jack doing while Mother is talking?

2. What does Tom wear while the others prepare dinner?

3. Who does Jack try to talk to about his nightmare?

4. Who has been waiting about an hour to play Derek in pool?

5. In Chapter 9, how is Tom acting?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the incident involving a frog in the garden.

2. Three weeks after Mother's death, how does Jack spend his time?

3. Describe Jack's recurring nightmare.

4. What conversation does Jack have with Tom after being awakened by Tom's fake crying?

5. Jack thinks his hands smell like rotten meat. What does he do? What is really causing the smell?

6. Discuss the siblings' eating habits for the week following their mother's death.

7. What is the conversation between Derek and Jack as they leave the pool hall?

8. How does Tom get to play in girls' clothing without getting picked on by his friends?

9. How does Jack get a terrible sunburn?

10. Discuss the owners of the pool hall's relationship with Derek. Why does he play for free?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the point of view from which the novel is written. Does this point of view make the story more or less believable? Select a different point of view and explain how this novel would have changed if written from it.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the two oldest siblings and the two youngest ones.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the characters Jack and Julie and their growth throughout the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample