View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Vernon hide in his bedroom?

2. Who visits Vernon in Mexico?

3. What is officer Gurie's first name?

4. What does Vernon always hear leaving Dr. Oliver Goosens' ambulance?

5. What of the following philosophical problems does Vernon speak with Ledesma about?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Vernon plan to help Silas Benn?

2. How did Vernon once help Taylor at a party?

3. Why does Vernon hang up on his Mom when he talks to her from prison?

4. Why does Vernon make faces before appearing on TV?

5. What does Vernon have to do at the New Life Center?

6. What does Lally's show state about Vernon's life?

7. How does Vernon's Mom betray the fact she does not believe in her son's innocence?

8. What do the police find out about Vernon's sexuality?

9. Why is Vernon depressed after only one night back at home?

10. What does Vernon think about Jesus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the main themes of the story. In what way are these themes relevant to the period? How does the author use character and setting to express these themes?

Essay Topic 2

Why are a person's teenage years supposed to be so difficult? How much was Jesus' reaction to the bullying because of his sensitive age? In what way does Vernon's young age become a joke in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the book's reception in three different countries including the country in which the book was written. How do their opinions about the books differ? Was the book more influential in one country than another? If so, why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 638 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample