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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. How old was Goolrick when he was molested?

2. How did the family give others Christmas presents?

3. What does Roy practice on Goolrick?

4. What did brother want mother to say before he ate his dinner?

5. What did brother once stick in Goolrick's forehead?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Goolrick's reply to George's threat.

2. 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?

3. Explain Goolrick's graduation speech.

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

5. Describe the creek and explain why it is "violently sexy".

6. Describe Mrs. Lackman's son.

7. Describe the events that took place with Roy and Goolrick's brother in the field.

8. Explain Mrs. Lackman's process for bathroom breaks, and why it doesn't work with the children.

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

10. Summarize Goolrick's experiences during kindergarten and first grade.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Describe the school system Goolrick participated in as a kindergarten and first grade student. Be sure to include information about the teacher, the classrooms, learning environments, social environments, any special events, and the impact those issues had on Goolrick and possibly the other children.

Essay Topic 3

At the time of her death, Goolrick spent hours driving back and forth from home to the hospital in order to spend time with his mother. When no one else would go, Goolrick went, making sure to deliver news, as needed. When his mother was actually dying, however, Goolrick left her alone, and he claims he does not know why. Knowing what you know about Goolrick and his mother's relationship, why do you think Goolrick left his mother to die alone in a hospital? Do you think he did it out of spite, fear, anger, or was it simply an unconscious decision? Be sure to base your answer on information from the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,090 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample