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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. Who does Paul win the money in the big race for?

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

3. What color is Paul wearing when he makes the pick for the final race?

4. Who arranges for something to be sent to mother on her birthday every year?

5. How does Mother respond when Paul asks her a question on her birthday?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. How does the book end?

7. What is symbolic about the clothing worn by Mother the night of her party?

8. What happens at the Derby?

9. How is Mother unlucky even after getting rich?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are your feelings about luck after reading this story, and how did the importance placed on luck by the main characters in this book change that ideal?

Essay Topic 2

What role did money play in this short story, and do you agree with the message the author was trying to send through this inclusion of the theme of money?

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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