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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. Whom does Goolrick wonder about, in terms of how she went on making herself breakfast, even after she knew what happened?

2. Why did the McClouds throw Goolrick out?

3. What does George threaten to do?

4. What did Goolrick's brother claim to do in one day?

5. How did Goolrick's mother use to pay for movies?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what happened when Goolrick's brother refused to eat when they were children.

2. Explain what happened when Goolrick was a boy, when he was invited to a sleep over at the McClouds.

3. What does Goolrick mean when he says he has spent his life looking for the thing that will make him into whom he wants to be?

4. Explain how cream was used to make butter in the classroom.

5. Explain what Goolrick means by calling his brother "a sly one" (pg. 124).

6. Explain that pageants of Mrs. Lackman's classes.

7. What does Goolrick mean when he points out that they boys thought he was one of them?

8. Describe why Goolrick was compelled to masturbate, in terms of how it made him feel and how it allowed him to escape.

9. Explain Goolrick's graduation speech.

10. Explain what happened the morning after Goolrick was molested.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, there are mentions of how Goolrick was treated differently than the other children by his parents. Locate at least five examples of how Goolrick was treated differently, and explain them, in detail. What are the examples? What do they suggest about how Mother and Father felt about Goolrick? Why do you think they felt this way? How do you think these actions made Goolrick feel?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Goolrick's parents at the height of their popularity with them at the end of their lives. How did they change, and why? What does this suggest about the role of alcohol in their decline? Do you think the changes in society also played a factor? Why or why not? How did their secret with Goolrick's molestation play a part in their decline?

Essay Topic 3

Goolrick's mother clearly knew her husband had sexually molested their son at the age of four. Discuss her reaction. What did she do? Why do you think she acted this way? How did she behave in the days following the event? How did her inner fear poison her feelings for Goolrick? What should she have done? Why do you think she didn't?

(see the answer keys)

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