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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. When did Mother last have the luxury she got for herself in the winter?

2. How much does Paul win in the big race?

3. What strange luxury does Mother buy in the winter?

4. How does Mother feel after she gets her birthday money?

5. Where does Mother go on her birthday?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the house say to Paul after his mother gets her birthday present?

2. What does Oscar help Paul plan to do with his winnings from the races?

3. How does Paul respond when Mother tries to help him when she gets worried about him?

4. How is Mother unlucky even after getting rich?

5. What does Mother sense during the party she goes to?

6. What initially worries Mother about Paul?

7. What happens at the Derby?

8. Why isn't Paul personally present at the Derby?

9. What does Mother get for her birthday?

10. What is symbolic in Paul's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Where do you think Paul got his ability to predict races? Please support your ideas with excerpts from the text.

Essay Topic 2

What role does symbolism play in the story and where does it appear? How is the plot altered by the presence of these symbols?

Essay Topic 3

Fear is a common theme in this book that is presented a number of times by a number of characters. What are some of these instances, and how does fear affect the characters in the book?

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This section contains 610 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample