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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. Who takes tickets at the sideshow?

2. What does Toby learn in the letter he receives in Chapter 11?

3. Why does Paulie give Ferris an envelope of money?

4. Who agrees to cut Myrtie Mae's lawn throughout the summer?

5. Who do Cal and Toby shout names at in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Cal think he would be hired to cut Miss Myrtie Mae's lawn each week?

2. What is unusual about the letter Toby writes in Chapter 8?

3. Why does Mr. McKnight buy ladybugs?

4. In addition to learning that his mom did not win the competition, what else does Toby learn about his mother in Chapter 8?

5. Why do Toby and Cal sit on top of the bowling alley at the beginning of Chapter 6?

6. Why is there often a dog in the sheriff's car?

7. How does Scarlett thank Toby for dancing with her at the lake?

8. Why does Cal always get up so early?

9. In the letter from Wayne that Cal reads to Toby on top of the bowling alley, what does Wayne write about?

10. What strikes Toby as unusual when Zachary tells him about his travels in Paris? What does it make Toby think?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the difference between conflict and crisis in a novel? How are they similar? Also relate the differences and similarities specifically to When Zachary Beaver Came to Town.

Essay Topic 2

What is tone? What was Toby's tone at the beginning and end of the novel? What does the change in tone throughout the novel suggest?

Essay Topic 3

Irony is the contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. There are three types of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic. Identify and discuss two examples of irony in the book. Which type of irony is it? What is expected and what actually occurs with your examples?

(see the answer keys)

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