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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. What does an inanimate object whisper to Paul?

2. How does Mother feel while at a party?

3. How much money does Mother get on her birthday?

4. What answer does Mother get about Paul's last words?

5. Who tells Paul the good news about the big race?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What initially worries Mother about Paul?

3. What is symbolic in Paul's death?

4. What is Paul hoping to hear from the house after his mother gets her birthday present?

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

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

7. What does Mother say caused her family a lot of grief when she was younger?

8. What does Mother do when she begins getting worried about Paul?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What kind of addictions were presented in this book, and which had the biggest effects on the plot, and why?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

How does Paul die, and what led to his death?

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This section contains 578 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample