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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 does Paul satisfy what whispers to him after Mother gets her birthday money?

2. How does Paul describe the changes in his life after his mother gets the money she wants?

3. How are Paul's eyes described after the party?

4. How much money did Paul win at the Lincoln races?

5. Why does Paul refuse his trip after his Mother's birthday?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author describe Paul as he discovers the name of the winning Derby horse?

2. What is the first thing Mother does when she comes home from her party?

3. What happens at the Derby?

4. What is symbolic in Paul's death?

5. What does Mother do when she gets her birthday present?

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

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

8. What causes Mother to become more connected to Paul?

9. What changes in Mother after she gets the birthday gift?

10. How does Paul choose the winners of the horse races?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Please describe how Paul used the rocking horse, and what symbolism this had on the book.

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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