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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 type of student was Boaz in high school?

2. Who is Pearl?

3. What does Levi think Boaz may be doing?

4. Why is it incongruous where Pearl goes to school?

5. How long does Boaz stay in his room?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Levi doing when Boaz comes home and how does the family greet him?

2. Why is Levi conflicted about attending a party and what does he decide?

3. What does Zim say to Levi's statement about Boaz and how does Levi respond?

4. What is Boaz's response to Dov wanting to take the boys out to eat?

5. What does Zim say in response to Levi's talking about Boaz and what is Levi's response?

6. Why does Levi feel like a sneak and thief?

7. What happens when Amanda spots the sign honoring Boaz?

8. Describe the conversation between Dov and Levi about Boaz.

9. What does Levi tell Zim and Pearl about Boaz while they are at the yogurt shop?

10. What happens when Amanda knocks on Boaz's door and why is this different than Boaz used to be?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Levi senses that his parents are too close to the situation and too emotional to help Boaz. He has growing concerns about Boaz. He thinks he is planning something and, given his psychological state, Levi fears that it could be disastrous. He knows that it's very unhealthy for Boaz to be isolating himself. His parents and grandparents are in denial. Even though Levi has some feelings of envy and bitterness about his brother who has always gotten more attention than he has, at least in his mind, Levi is showing how much he cares for his brother.

1. Do you think Levi's parents' emotions could be affecting their judgment? How could that happen? Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss the problems that could occur from Boaz isolating himself. Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

3. Why do you think Levi might envy his brother? Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Seventeen-year-old Levi's older brother is coming home after three years in the service and serving in the war. Levi is cautious with his feelings. He used to look up to his brother, but Boaz' decision to join the military has had a very negative impact on the family. Levi doesn't understand the war, why it was necessary or why his brother would volunteer to be part of it.

It is obvious that Levi harbors a good deal of bitterness about his brother's decision. His mother has been worrying non-stop for three years. Levi thinks deep down that Boaz' decision was selfish.

1. Discuss the impact Boaz joining the Marines had on his family. Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss the reasons Boaz might have volunteered for the Marines and the reasons Levi might not agree with the war. Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think Boaz was selfish for joining the military? Why or why not? Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The Things a Brother Knows belongs to the young adult novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young adult novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young adult novel and a historical novel mystery?

(see the answer keys)

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