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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 Zim say everyone does?

2. How is Levi surprised when he goes into Boaz's room?

3. What happens about Levi's job application/

4. Who does Levi usually meet with to compare homework?

5. What does Levi think Boaz may be doing?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What happened the night Boaz announces to the family of his intention to join the military?

4. How does Boaz's choice after high school impact the family?

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

6. How do Amanda and Abba respond differently to Boaz's behavior?

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

8. How long does Boaz stay in his room and what does Levi say to Zim's desire to see Boaz?

9. What does Levi observe when he goes into Boaz's room to help Boaz with his broken computer?

10. How does Pearl try to comfort Levi concerning Boaz?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in The Things a Brother Knows? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in The Things a Brother Knows including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Things a Brother Knows and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Things a Brother Knows is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach or stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Things a Brother Knows. Questions that Reinhardt most likely wants readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Reinhardt's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Reinhardt's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Reinhardt and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

(see the answer keys)

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