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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. Where does Jacob sleep his first night in his new sleeping quarters?

2. Why does Jacob go to Marlena and August's car in Chapter 7?

3. What makes Jacob upset with Uncle Al in Chapter 9?

4. What impression makes Uncle Al think Jacob is not serious about a job with the circus? Who does Uncle Al think Jacob is?

5. What does August provide for himself, Marlena, and Jacob before dinner?

Short Essay Questions

1. What have Jacob's parents left to him?

2. Why is Marlena angry with August the following day?

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

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

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

6. Who does Jacob meet the next morning on the circus train?

7. How many children does Jacob have?

8. What does Jacob agree to do for Marlena?

9. Why does Jacob lose his appetite?

10. Where is Jacob living in his old age?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Jacob's education. What is Jacob studying in school? Why does Jacob not finish his degree? How close is Jacob to being finished? Why does Jacob choose not to finish? How does Jacob's education help him get a job with the circus?

Essay Topic 2

Who is Jacob, the elderly man? Why is Jacob living in the assisted-living center? What does Jacob feel the center has taken from him? Why does Jacob resist the help of the nurses? Why does Jacob dislike the new resident, the lawyer who claims to have brought water to elephants as a young man? Why does Jacob not believe this man's claims? How would Jacob know?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss young Jacob. Why does Jacob jump the circus train? Did Jacob know it was a circus train? Was Jacob looking for a job with the circus? What is Jacob looking for at the circus? Does he find it? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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