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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. At what kind of restaurant does Grandma tell Jenny to stop?
(a) A fish market.
(b) A Japanese sushi bar.
(c) A Chinese restaurant.
(d) A fast food chain.

2. What is Grandma wearing at the beginning of Chapter 8?
(a) A navy dress.
(b) A red hat.
(c) A pink nightgown.
(d) A purple robe.

3. What is the final entry in Tony's journal about his vacation?
(a) "The summer was pritty wonderful."
(b) "The summer turned out to be pritty good."
(c) "The summer was wonderful."
(d) "The summer turned out to be pretty good."

4. What is Brent trying to learn from a book he has purchased?
(a) How to survive in the desert.
(b) Astrology signs.
(c) The stars' names.
(d) History of the American Indians.

5. Who is Rachel?
(a) Jenny's mother.
(b) The next door neighbor.
(c) A weather girl on television.
(d) Grandma's deceased sister.

Short Answer Questions

1. What meaning does the whale whirligig have for Grandma?

2. Who has a voice that makes Tony's mom's fillings ache?

3. Where does Brent stay when he arrives at his destination?

4. What does Grandma refuse to admit about her health?

5. What does Brent do calm his frustrations?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which whirligig is at Tony's summer campground? How does Tony feel about the whirligig?

2. What are some of Jenny's parents' actions that lead them away from their Jewish heritage? Why do they try to forget their roots?

3. Why is it easy for Brent to interact with the children as he builds the whirligig?

4. Up until this point in his life, Brent has never had any interests other than looking cool. What new interests are now filling Brent's spare time? What role models have helped him establish these other interests?

5. In Chapter 6, what task has the fifth grade teacher assigned that is difficult for her student Tony? Why is the assignment so hard?

6. Emil makes a comment to Brent that his father had told him that teachers live forever through their students. When Brent hears this, what person in his past comes to mind? What do her words mean to Brent at the time she speaks to him? What realization has Emil's sharing brought to Brent?

7. What does Tony finally write in his journal? What does he do to emphasize the truth in his entry?

8. What effect do her parents' actions concerning their Jewish heritage have on Jenny?

9. What does Tony tell Mr. Mintz about his summer vacation? How does Mr. Mintz use this information to help Tony?

10. How is dinner at the hostel different from Brent's dinner at home with his parents?

(see the answer keys)

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