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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Who is spying on the narrator when he starts to spin tops against opponents?
(a) Junior Kissel.
(b) Grover Dill.
(c) Scut Farkas.
(d) Delbert Bumpus.

3. When Randy starts to whine the night before the County Fair, what does Mother promise him?
(a) Cream soda.
(b) Peach candy.
(c) Taffy apple.
(d) Chocolate donut.

4. Because of the crowds, how far away from the County Fair does the narrator say his father has to park?
(a) In Chicago.
(b) Six blocks.
(c) Two towns over.
(d) About four miles.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the final spinning top battle between Farkas and the narrator conclude?

2. At the start of Story Four, what reminds the narrator of his annual family vacations to Clear Lake, Michigan?

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

4. On Saturday night, right before the family trip to Michigan, what does the Old Man say about their departure?

5. What is the Mariah?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the sense of anticipation the Shepherd family members feel as they prepare to experience the County Fair. What is each family member looking forward to the most?

2. What happens when Randy, the Old Man, and the narrator ride the Whirligig Rocket Whip?

3. Describe the Shepherd family's annual summer vacation.

4. Describe the Shepherd family's arrival at Ollie Hopnoodle's resort in Clear Lake.

5. Where do the Bumpuses make their illegal liquor?

6. What happens after the narrator uses a dummy top and lets Farkas win the first round?

7. At the end of the Shepherd family's County Fair excursion, what is the Old Man's assessment?

8. How does the Old Man handle all the problems the family encounters en route to Michigan?

9. During their road trip, the narrator is convinced that he left his fishing gear back home. What does he discover about his gear at the end of the story?

10. What are some of the misadventures the family experiences on their drive to Michigan?

(see the answer keys)

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