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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. What does the narrator say to get Scut Farkas to challenge him at top spinning?

2. The narrator notes that the only way to get his father going in the morning is with what?

3. How do the boys prepare for their Michigan vacation?

4. The narrator says that his family's annual trip to Michigan is bigger than what to him?

5. What does the Old Man do trying to get a glimpse of the new family that moves in next door?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the Old Man feel towards the Bumpus family?

3. Describe some of what makes the Shepherd family a traditional one.

4. How does the narrator trick Farkas into challenging him to a battle of spinning tops?

5. How do the brothers behave at the County Fair?

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

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

8. Describe some of the interesting sights the four members of the Shepherd family see while they are together at the County Fair.

9. How does the house next door to the Shepherds transform after the Bumpus family moves in?

10. What are the Mariah and the Wolf?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. Describe the personality and any salient character traits of each of the following: Randy, the narrator, Mother, and the Old Man.

2. How do the personalities and character traits of these individuals complement each other in ways that make their family function together?

Essay Topic 2

How does the narrator feel after the battles against Scut Farkas, the school bully, in top-spinning matches? Who wins? Does it even matter who wins, or does the narrator grow in confidence and self-assurance as a result of his desire to best the bully? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

A day at the County Fair turns into another opportunity for the author to showcase the Shepherds' eccentricities. Describe the fair experience from the viewpoint of each family member -- Mother, Randy, the Old Man, and the narrator. Who seems to enjoy the fair the most, and why? Use examples to support your conclusion.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,005 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample