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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. How old is Benji in Chapter 4?

2. In Chapter 12, how is Tails injured when he tries to take down the flags?

3. What sport did the editor in chief of the Hed paper play?

4. How many miscarriages did Matteo's mother have before she had her daughter?

5. What do Hannah and Johnny do to make a living?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Peter call Teemu after Lev contacts him in Chapter 36?

2. In Chapter 27, who is the man who sits next to Maya on the train?

3. Why does Hannah go to Ana's house in Chapter 5?

4. How does Bobo take away Amat's chance to play hockey in Chapter 37?

5. In Chapter 17, why does Kira remember that Tails and four other businessmen from Beartown visited her?

6. What happens when Maya grabs her knife to stab the person following her through the park?

7. How did Matteo's sister get away from home?

8. In Chapter 20, how does Amat know to find Fatima after she walks home from the ice rink?

9. Why does Tails drive Mumble home to Hed?

10. Why did Maya leave Beartown and where did she go?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ramona has been like a mother to Teemu. How would you describe the relationship between Teemu and Ramona and why it has been important to him?

Essay Topic 2

A motif is a concrete or abstract narrative element that repeats in a novel and helps develop major themes. How is banging used as a motif in The Winners?

Essay Topic 3

Metaphors and similes are figures of speech that are used to make comparisons between things. Metaphors seem to imply an equal comparison, while similes seem to imply a similarity between two things. Does Backman use more metaphors or similes in The Winners? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers comprehend concepts? How does the use of metaphors or similes make the writing more interesting?

(see the answer keys)

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