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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 Jacob retrieve from the camel and zebra cars?

2. Why does Jacob return to school?

3. What does Camel tell Jacob he will have to learn to get along?

4. What does Jacob's doctor believe has caused his recent outburst?

5. Who is to be Jacob's roommate in his new sleeping quarters?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the doctor prescribe for Jacob?

2. What does Jacob agree to do for Marlena?

3. Who is Jacob's roommate? What is the source of tension between these two?

4. What is the significance of Stars and Stripes Forever in the circus?

5. What attacks Jacob later that night?

6. What is the emergency that causes the band to play Stars and Stripes Forever?

7. Why does Jacob lose his appetite?

8. What treat does Rosemary sneak onto Jacob's breakfast tray?

9. What is Jacob's one joy in the center?

10. What news does Jacob receive in the days before his final exams?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Jacob's family. How does the death of Jacob's parents influence his decision to join the circus as a young man? How does the fact that his son forgot it was his day to visit influence Jacob into joining the circus the second time? What does Jacob's choice say about his state of mind? What do these choices say about Jacob's feelings toward his family, both as a young man and an old man?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Prohibition. What is Prohibition? Why was it enacted? How does it affect the common man? How does pPohibition play a role in this novel? Who is directly affected by Prohibition? Who is indirectly affected? Why do you think the author chose to set her novel during prohibition? How would the novel be different if the author had set the story in a different era? Whose life would have been different? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss August. Who is August? What kind of person is August? What does August do to cause Jacob to fear him? What does Jacob learn about August that helps him understand August's odd behavior? What does August do to Rosie? How does Rosie respond?

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This section contains 790 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample