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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. On the morning of the family's departure for their Michigan trip, Mother is in the kitchen scrambling eggs and making coffee while the Old Man is doing what?
(a) Sleeping.
(b) Yelling at the neighbors.
(c) Making waffles.
(d) Packing the car.

2. Which of the following do Randy and his brother NOT eat at the County Fair?
(a) Fudge.
(b) Pumpkin pie.
(c) Deep-fried chocolate bars.
(d) Pork and beans.

3. What happens when, during the family's road trip, the Old Man refuses the opportunity to purchase gas at the last station?
(a) Mother yells at him until he does a u-turn and gets gas.
(b) They run out of gas at the resort entrance and have to push the car in.
(c) They run out of gas and he has to hike back for some.
(d) They run out of gas, the radiatior overheats, and a tire goes flat, all at the same time.

4. Where does the narrator's family stay during their vacations in Clear Lake, Michigan?
(a) A houseboat.
(b) Ollie Hopnoodle's resort.
(c) A semi-permanent tent.
(d) Jack Morton's cabin.

5. What happens to the house next door to the narrator after the Bumpus family moves in?
(a) It gets toilet papered.
(b) It ages overnight.
(c) Two new rooms are added in the back.
(d) It's painted purple.

6. What is the Old Man's absolute favorite ride at the County Fair?
(a) Torpedo Blaster.
(b) Enormo Gordo Run.
(c) Lightning Strike.
(d) Whirligig Rocket Whip.

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

8. What daredevil act do a couple of skinny blond girls perform at the County Fair?
(a) Exchanging motorcycles in midair.
(b) Jumping through a wall of fire.
(c) High diving into a pool.
(d) Roman riding on horseback.

9. When the family finally arrives at their summer trip destination, what obstacles do they immediately encounter?
(a) Rain and a power outage.
(b) The Old Man left his wallet at the gas station, and Mother forgot the bug spray.
(c) The resort and several others nearby are completely full.
(d) A bear encounter and a cabin with no door.

10. The narrator notes that the only way to get his father going in the morning is with what?
(a) A cigarette and coffee.
(b) The morning paper.
(c) A plate of bacon and eggs.
(d) A double espresso.

11. For how many years does the Shepherd family take its annual pilgrimage to Clear Lake?
(a) Eighteen.
(b) Ten.
(c) Fourteen.
(d) Seven.

12. When the narrator tells his father that he forgot to pack something important for the Michigan trip, what happens?
(a) The Old Man stops at a store to buy another one.
(b) Mother tells him to not worry because he'll have fun anyway.
(c) The Old Man reprimands him while he weeps.
(d) Randy laughs at him until the narrator punches him.

13. Once the family arrives at the County Fair, the narrator accompanies his father where?
(a) To the dusty dirt track.
(b) To the fire-breathing act.
(c) Riding the carousel.
(d) Riding the bumper cars.

14. What does the narrator say is one of the most popular playground games at his school?
(a) Four square.
(b) Marble throwing.
(c) Dodgeball.
(d) Top spinning.

15. What does the narrator find, after almost not seeing it, tucked between two looming buildings?
(a) Little specialty shop.
(b) Small park.
(c) Coffee shop and bakery.
(d) Dark alley.

Short Answer Questions

1. When the narrator visits a museum as an adult, what special item does he find?

2. When a crowd of kids gathers around the narrator and Farkas as they battle it out with their fancy spinning tops, what is the collective wish?

3. At what point does the narrator realize they are halfway to their Michigan destination?

4. What is the Old Man's greatest nemesis?

5. When Randy starts to whine the night before the County Fair, what does Mother promise him?

(see the answer keys)

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