1. Who is the only person who does not expect Doodle to die soon after his birth?
(a) Brother.
(b) Aunt Nicey.
(c) Mama.
(d) Daddy.

2. In the first sentence of the story, what meaning does "clove" have in "It was in the clove of seasons" (1)?
(a) A dried flower bud that is also a spice.
(b) The past tense of "cleave."
(c) One section of a bulb of garlic.
(d) The space between the two parts of an animal's hoof.

3. What is "Brother's" first reaction to Doodle?
(a) Disappointment.
(b) Excitement.
(c) Pity.
(d) Anger.

4. What does the doctor say about Doodle trying to move around?
(a) It could kill him.
(b) It is surprising.
(c) It is good for him.
(d) It means he is in pain.

5. On what does Brother blame his cruelty toward Doodle?
(a) His jealousy of Doodle's happy temperment.
(b) His own nature and his love for Doodle.
(c) His embarrassment and shame due to Doodle's disability.
(d) The unfair burden of having to take care of his brother.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Brother says that the smell of the graveyard flowers is coming through their windows and "speaking softy the names of our dead" (1), this is an example of which literary technique?

2. When, on page 8, Brother says that they kept working with "doggedness," what does he mean?

3. What is an "ibis"?

4. When Doodle first begins to move, how does Mama feel?

5. Doodle has an active mind and talks a lot. What is his family's reaction to this?

(see the answer key)

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