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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 Levi wonder about Christina?

2. What does Zim give Levi for Levi's birthday?

3. Why does Levi stop at a Chinese restaurant?

4. What does Celine say she has to re-learn?

5. Why does the family have a special dinner?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when a Toyota truck goes speeding by Boaz and Levi as they are walking?

2. Why have Zim and Pearl shown up at the motel room in Philadelphia?

3. What does Levi calculate and decide to do?

4. What happens when Levi follows Boaz after Boaz leaves the restaurant?

5. What does Celine say to Levi about her brother?

6. How does Loren respond to Levi saying he just wants Boaz to come home?

7. How is Levi surprised when they arrive at Celine's aunt's house in Edgewood?

8. What does Boaz say about why he walks?

9. What does Levi do in Boaz's room and what action does he decide to take?

10. What does Jack decide to do and why is that a major decision?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Levi and Boaz. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Levi and Zim. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Things a Brother Knows help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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