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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. Why does Boaz become irate at Levi?

2. What does Boaz read up on stage?

3. What does Levi tell Pearl it is time to do?

4. Where do Levi and Boaz first go when they get to the Washington, D. C. area?

5. Where does Levi ask about Boaz in Ridgewood?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Levi calculate and decide to do?

5. Who do Pearl and Levi go to see in Poughkeepsie and how does Levi know they are at the right place?

6. Who arrives just as Levi is wondering about her and what does she decide to do?

7. What enrages Levi so much that he goes up and pounds on Boaz's bedroom door and what happens?

8. Where do Boaz and Levi first go when they arrive in the Washington, D.C. area and who do they visit?

9. What story does Boaz tell the crowd at the Vietnam Memorial?

10. Where does Levi go when he splits off from Jack and Boaz and who does he meet?

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

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in The Things a Brother Knows. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Reinhardt chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Reinhardt chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Reinhardt's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc.) and how they add or detract from the story. Does Reinhardt use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, or theme).

Essay Topic 3

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.

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