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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 strikes Jamie about the trailer more than the temperature?

2. What did Earl brag to Patty that he could heat the trailer with?

3. What is the inside of Earl's trailer as cold as?

4. What does Jamie play with his mother while Nin sleeps?

5. What does Jamie say he still pictures?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Patty and Jamie talk about when Earl goes to work?

2. How does Patty calm Jamie down at the beginning of the chapter?

3. What are the alternatives to staying in the trailer?

4. Why doesn't Earl think it is not a good idea for Patty to stay in the trailer?

5. What does Jamie see at the beginning of the story?

6. How did Jamie get his magic book?

7. What games does Jamie play at the carnival?

8. What are the living arrangements in the trailer?

9. Why does Jamie think it is okay if he doesn't go to school?

10. How does Van react to what he has done?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the book.

How does the author use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

Discuss elements of the narrative structure; Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

Essay Topic 2

What is Patty's relationship with Earl? Why is Earl so willing to help Patty?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the author's writing style. How would you describe the author's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? What meaning does the author's style give to the story?

(see the answer keys)

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