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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. Why do the girls dress up Tom?

2. What does Derek do before leaving the house in Chapter 10?

3. Who does Jack want to read his book?

4. At what age did Derek start playing pool at his favorite hall?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to the children when they were left alone one time previously?

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

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

4. What strange experience happens to Jack when he goes to the shops to spend his birthday money?

5. What do the girls say about Jack and Tom's appearances when they are dressing Tom like a girl?

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

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

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

9. What is Derek's solution to covering the rotting smell? What do the kids tell him the smell is?

10. How is Tom's baby-like behavior affected by Julie's willingness to treat him like one?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the difference between conflict and crisis in a novel? How are they similar? Also relate the differences and similarities specifically to The Cement Garden.

Essay Topic 2

Irony is the contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. There are three types of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic. Identify and discuss two examples of irony in the book. Which type of irony is it? What is expected and what actually occurs with your examples?

Essay Topic 3

A protagonist has heroic qualities and an antagonist has villain qualities. Discuss the protagonist in The Cement Garden. Discuss the antagonist in the story as well.

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