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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to the novel, how long was Richard Allen Mesinger "supposed" to have lived?
(a) Long enough to discover a genetic cure for cancer
(b) To age forty
(c) To age fourteen
(d) An additional 60 years

2. Why doesn't Richard Allen Mesington tell Peggy that he loves her?
(a) Because she is much older than he is
(b) He already has a jealous girlfiend in Sarah
(c) He is debilitatingly shy
(d) He is homosexual

3. When he is an infant, how does Richard Allen Mesington get Sissy to stop walking?
(a) He asks her to stop
(b) He sits down and cries
(c) He pulls her fur
(d) He says he'll tell his mom if she doesn't do what he says

4. When Richard Allen Mesington is eleven and twelve years old what is his favorite hobby?
(a) Training dogs
(b) Building model airplanes and cars
(c) Drawing
(d) Shooting a rifle

5. At the novel's conclusion, who is the owner of the "sweet" rifle?
(a) Harv Kline
(b) John Byam
(c) Nobody--Harv Kline destroys it
(d) Tilson

6. When Richard Allen Mesington is seven years old his family moves to what state?
(a) Utah
(b) Alabama
(c) Missouri
(d) Texas

7. According to the novel, why does the black powder in the "sweet" rifle remain explosive after hundreds of years?
(a) It was a modern type of powder
(b) The rifle's small caliber preserved the powder
(c) It was wrapped in a linen cartridge
(d) Grease used in loading formed an airtight seal

8. How long does the "sweet" rifle stay loaded before it is finally discharged?
(a) 12 days
(b) 217 years
(c) 371 years
(d) 2 weeks

9. According to the novel, how many movies did Richard Allen Mesinger watch in an average year?
(a) 52
(b) 12
(c) He didn't watch movies
(d) Over 100

10. After John Byam, what act is never performed on the "sweet" rifle?
(a) Cleaning it up
(b) Firing it
(c) Selling it
(d) Checking to see if it is loaded

11. For what did sailing ships in the Revolutionary War use black power?
(a) To charge their cannon
(b) To cook meals
(c) As a fuel in the engine
(d) They didn't use blackpowder onboard sailing ships

12. Who is Richard Allen Mesington's first girlfriend?
(a) Peggy
(b) Tilson
(c) Sissy
(d) Sarah

13. When Richard Allen Mesington is fourteen years old he considers pursuing all of the following careers except?
(a) Soldier
(b) Major-league pitcher
(c) Doctor
(d) Teacher

14. What happens to black powder if it is exposed to the air for a long period of time?
(a) It turns a greyish white
(b) It explodes
(c) It gets much stronger
(d) It is ruined

15. In what sport is Richard Allen Mesington not interested?
(a) Baseball
(b) Basketball
(c) Football
(d) Soccer

Short Answer Questions

1. What happened to Mrs. Mesinger after Richard Allen Mesinger's death?

2. From what ailment did Richard Allen Mesington suffer as an infant?

3. In Missouri, one of Richard Allen Mesington's neighbors tells him stories about what historical world event?

4. According to the novel, what is the muzzle velocity of a black powder rifle's projectile?

5. About when were Harv Kline's two children born?

(see the answer keys)

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