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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 is the Avenger’s primary mode of transportation in Part One?

2. What color do the home invaders spray-paint the walls in the home in the beginning of Part One?

3. On what street does the Jerome family live in the novel?

4. How many rooms comprise the “Cape Cod cottage” that is trashed in the beginning of the novel?

5. What does Jane tell her friends people call Mickey Stallings behind his back in Part One?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the narrative transitions to Buddy’s perspective during the break-in, what does Buddy find when he returns downstairs in the Jerome home?

2. What is significant about the title of We All Fall Down? From where is this title derived?

3. What news does Buddy receive when he arrives at school in the opening of Part Two?

4. How does the Avenger cover up the murder of Vaughn Masterson?

5. What happens when Buddy’s sister confronts him about his drinking in Part One?

6. What information does Mr. Jerome relate to his family regarding the arrest of one of the home invaders in Part One?

7. What is significant about the setting of We All Fall Down in relation to the central topics addressed in the novel?

8. What leads the Avenger to murdering his grandfather? How does he kill him?

9. At what time do the home invaders depart the Jerome home in the beginning of Part One? What damage is left in their wake?

10. How does Jane discover Buddy’s drinking in Part Two? How does she address the issue?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do you interpret the title of the novel? What fairy tale is alluded to in the title? How can the title be seen to relate to the “falling down” of more than one character in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Buddy Walker’s perspective as he descends the stairs and sees his friends in the process of attacking and (potentially) raping Karen Jerome in Part One. Why does Buddy not intervene? How does Buddy feel about the situation? What sound stands out to Buddy in this scene?

Essay Topic 3

Family in We All Fall Down

a. Discuss the differences and similarities between Buddy’s family and Jane’s family in the novel. In what ways do these families differ in their communication style and shows of affection for one another?

b. How do the story’s main characters evolve in their perceptions of family throughout the course of the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

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