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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 is the only thing of Toby's in the house?

2. Why doesn't Toby engage the easy girls his friends find for him?

3. Why does Rosemary campaign for Senator Jackson and John F. Kennedy?

4. Which of the following does not bother Toby about Arthur?

5. Toby says the Irish tenor in the Champagne Orchestra is singing for his life. This mirrors how Toby feels about:

Short Essay Questions

1. What is notable about the clothes the Howards purchase for Toby? What is ironic about the situation?

2. Why does Mr. Howard think Hill will be tough on Toby? How does Toby respond?

3. Describe Norma's boyfriend Kenneth.

4. Why does Toby take Dwight's guns?

5. Why does Toby run away slowly from the drugstore worker? What does this tell the reader about Toby? Why does no one stop Toby?

6. Do you think Rosemary did the right thing when she separated her sons? Provide specific examples in your answer.

7. Why does Arthur tell lies? What lies does he tell? Why doesn't Toby say anything when he knows the things Arthur says aren't true?

8. What is different now between Toby and Geoffrey?

9. Describe the dog Toby is given.

10. Why does Geoffrey think Toby can get a scholarship from a prep school? What efforts does Toby make to be accepted by a prep school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Detail the chain of events that lead to Toby's invitation to Paris. What is required of Toby before he can go? How do the people in Toby's life react to the news? In your opinion, why does Toby decide not to go to Paris? Include specific examples to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Roy, Dwight, and Toby's father, Arthur. Explore the effect each of them has on Toby and how this influences the man Toby tries to be.

Essay Topic 3

Dwight is a cruel, inhuman man who makes life miserable for everyone around him.

Part 1) Using specific examples, provide evidence of Dwight's mental instability.

Part 2) Explain the impact that Dwight's actions and behavior have on his children and Rosemary.

Part 3) Dwight has an especially negative impact on Toby's life. Provide evidence of his poor treatment of Toby, and explore the ways in which this treatment shapes Toby's life.

(see the answer keys)

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