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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the Old Man do trying to get a glimpse of the new family that moves in next door?
(a) Hits his head.
(b) Tears the window shade.
(c) Knocks over a lamp.
(d) Stubs his toe.

2. What is the Old Man's greatest nemesis?
(a) His old Pontiac.
(b) Scut Farkas.
(c) Bumpus hounds.
(d) The radiator in his house.

3. How many Bumpuses move next door to the narrator and his family?
(a) Nine.
(b) Twelve Bumpuses and three of their friends.
(c) Thirteen.
(d) Nobody knows for sure.

4. How does the narrator describe the sound that his spinning top makes?
(a) Stealthy and quiet, like a ninja.
(b) Loud and wailing, like a ghost.
(c) Cold and hissing, like a snake.
(d) Bold and thunderous, like a storm.

5. When the narrator visits a museum as an adult, what special item does he find?
(a) A yo-yo used by the 1964 yo-yo world champion.
(b) A softball signed by his favorite ballplayer.
(c) A top believed to have belonged to a former President.
(d) A skateboard donated by a famous sports star.

6. According to the book, important industries of Northern Indiana are steel mills and what else?
(a) Car manufacturers.
(b) Candy factories.
(c) Pharmaceuticals.
(d) Oil refineries.

7. At what point does the narrator realize they are halfway to their Michigan destination?
(a) After he almost faints from dehydration and heat exhaustion.
(b) When Randy throws up, because he does this every year at the halfway mark.
(c) When the contents of the car have shifted so much he can no longer move.
(d) After they've been driving for six hours without stopping.

8. Who goes on the Old Man's favorite ride at the County Fair?
(a) The Old Man and Mother only.
(b) The Old Man and his two sons.
(c) Randy and his brother only.
(d) The four members of the Shepherd family.

9. What name does the narrator give his "weapon"?
(a) Puma.
(b) Bear.
(c) Wolf.
(d) Dog.

10. What are some of the items that adorn the Bumpus' yard?
(a) License plates, tire pumps, and old batteries.
(b) Plastic alligators and chipped gnomes.
(c) Abstract art sculptures and rain barrels.
(d) Fountains, flowers, and chipped pottery.

11. The Taylors, who lived next door to the narrator and his family for many years before the Bumpus family moved in, were what?
(a) Educators.
(b) Quiet.
(c) Eccentric.
(d) Circus performers.

12. The winner of the spinning top battle between Farkas and the narrator could very well do what?
(a) Intimidate the other kids all the way through high school.
(b) Beat up the loser.
(c) Change life at Warren G. Harding School.
(d) Demand lunch money from the kids gathered there.

13. At their Michigan destination, what does the narrator say when the Old Man starts talking about going fishing?
(a) He says he'll stay in the cabin reading comic books.
(b) He reminds his father that he forgot to pack his gear.
(c) He laments out loud that this is the worst trip ever.
(d) He says he can't wait to go fishing.

14. Which of the following are NOT found in the Bumpus' yard?
(a) Rats.
(b) Hounds.
(c) Peacocks.
(d) Chickens.

15. The narrator and his family eat practically the same thing every day, except on what occasion?
(a) Fourth of July.
(b) New Year's.
(c) Halloween.
(d) Easter.

Short Answer Questions

1. Halfway along the journey to Michigan, what does the narrator realize he forgot to pack?

2. The narrator lives in Northern Indiana with whom?

3. What does the narrator say is one of the most popular playground games at his school?

4. What person does the forty-seven pound pumpkin at the County Fair resemble?

5. Where does the Bumpus family like to go shopping?

(see the answer keys)

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