View a FREE sample

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 Levi should do about Boaz admonishing Levi?

2. What does Levi think has disappeared?

3. What do Levi and Zim have in common?

4. Why are there no banners, champagne or cake when Levi gets home?

5. What does Levi say about his brother when asked at the movies?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Boaz act at dinner and what does he do after he's done eating?

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

3. What is Levi hoping for concerning the sign in front of his school?

4. Who is Pearl and what is her relationship to Levi?

5. How does Amanda act about Boaz's upcoming trip?

6. Who is Zim and what does he have in common with Levi?

7. What does Boaz say he is going to do that Abba and Dov think is good, and why does Levi think Boaz is lying?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in The Things a Brother Knows. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in The Things a Brother Knows. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme family in The Things a Brother Knows. Consider family as not only those related by blood but also those related by friendship bonds.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which three secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think The Things a Brother Knows is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,012 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample