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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. Which character is a reformed alcoholic?

2. What does the community discuss over lunch at the diner in Chapter 5?

3. As Toby sits at the lake in Chapter 3, what keeps him from wading into it?

4. Whose sister does Toby take to see the sideshow?

5. Who phones while Toby is at Scarlett's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Other than the emotional attachment Toby has with his mother, why does he miss her so much?

2. How do Toby and Cal try to determine whether Zachary really is the fattest boy in the world?

3. What is ironic about Kate's announcement that she passed her driver's test and now has her license?

4. Discuss the development of Gossimer Lake.

5. As Toby and Scarlett swing on her front porch, what does Scarlett talk about?

6. What is the goal Zachary shares with Cal and Toby when the sheriff takes them to visit?

7. Why is Toby's father still in his pajamas at the beginning of Chapter 9?

8. Why was Scarlett's relationship with Juan so important to her?

9. What is the town rumor about Miss Myrtie Mae?

10. What is the town rumor about Ferris?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss stereotypes present in the novel. How does Toby relate to or deal with the stereotypes?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the author's writing experience and her successes of this book and others.

Essay Topic 3

Identify and discuss three points of foreshadowing from the novel. Did the author use foreshadowing effectively? Why or why not? Define foreshadowing in your essay as well.

(see the answer keys)

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