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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 do Jamie and his mother eat at the carnival?

2. How does Jamie's success at the hoop game make him feel?

3. Why does Jamie think the bureau drawer is the perfect crib for Nin?

4. Where does Earl live?

5. What does Earl do in the afternoon?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Earl calm Jamie down at the end of this section?

4. How does Jamie persuade Patty to take him to the carnival?

5. What games does Jamie play at the carnival?

6. Why is Jamie happy that Nin will be sleeping in the bureau drawer?

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

8. What does Jamie fantasize about Earl?

9. How does Patty react to what Van does?

10. What is Jamie's last memory of Van?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does Jamie's fantasy about the bomb suggest about his situation in the story? How is his fantasy linked to the theme of dependency?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

How does Patty react to seeing Van in the trailer? Does Patty react in the right way?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample