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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. Why is Brent filled with envy when he enters the dining room?
(a) He envies the man's ability to entertain himself and others.
(b) He envies the family's sharing dinner leisurely.
(c) He envies the young man's obvious success.
(d) He envies the storyteller's ease with words.

2. What has Jenny's parents tried to put behind them?
(a) The teachings of the Torah.
(b) Christmas celebrations.
(c) Their Hebrew language.
(d) Poland and Hitler.

3. Why does Tony laugh at his last entry?
(a) He remembers a funny joke he has played on his sister during vacation.
(b) He has misspelled "pretty" because spelling does not count.
(c) He knows that he will not be graded on the entry anyway.
(d) He knows that he is lying.

4. What does Brent have with him that could make his journey easier?
(a) An airline ticket to any destination.
(b) A voucher for free lodging at the Sheraton.
(c) Five hundred dollars in cash.
(d) A Visa card.

5. Why does Jenny not want to drive Grandma anywhere?
(a) Jenny does not like to drive the station wagon.
(b) Jenny has been told by her mother not to drive.
(c) Jenny is busy with housework.
(d) Jenny only has her learner's permit.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Brent realize about the song which he teaches himself to play?

2. After finishing his journal entry, where does Tony look?

3. What does Brent buy after leaving the museum?

4. What color are practically all of Grandma's shoes?

5. Why does Brent like being in Texas?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the whale whirligig represent to Grandma?

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

3. What does Brent resolve to do as he reads his star guide book? How is he already accomplishing his goal with the whirligigs?

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

5. Why does Brent refuse to use the Visa card which his parents have given him for the trip? What does this say about his new sense of responsibility?

6. Why does Brent enjoy returning to the Sand Dollar Cafe?

7. As Brent steps into the hostel's dining hall, he sees a bearded man playing a concertina for the guests. Why does Brent admire this man? What is Brent thinking as he watches the bearded man entertain?

8. How does the boy's interest in the whirligig affect Brent?

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

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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