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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. Toby never calls Arthur a liar because:

2. How does Dwight react when he learns Toby may move to Paris?

3. Why is Toby not excited at first about being accepted at Hill?

4. How does Dwight react when he finds out Toby got Dwight's car stuck in a ditch?

5. What event prompts Rosemary to declare she and Toby will leave Dwight's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Toby and his friends go to the Welsh's farm? What happens as a result of their actions?

2. What does Toby begin to do after injuring his finger? Why does he do this?

3. 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?

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

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

6. What does Dwight do with Toby's gun in Chapter 4 and why?

7. Who does Rosemary campaign for? Why does this make Dwight angry? How does this affect Toby's home life?

8. Why can't Toby apologize to the Welshes? How do Chuck and Mr. Bolger react to this?

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

10. What do Toby's friends want to do for him? How successful are they?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

How does Toby feel about girls at the beginning of the book? Give three specific examples of how this changes. How does this attitude differ from the attitudes of Toby's friends?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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