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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. How many Nobel Prizes does the fictitious spinster in Chapter 2 own?

2. What does Brent want from the judge?

3. How many cars are involved in Brent's accident?

4. What force drives the whirligig?

5. Through what book does Brent look while traveling?

Short Essay Questions

1. What has happened at the party that makes Brent feel as though he is a leper as he drives away? Would it be accurate to say that this was Brent's self image before the party? Why or why not?

2. What bird disappoints Flaco? Why?

3. What does Brent recall about the automobile accident? How do his parents try to keep him from knowing facts about the accident?

4. Is Brent still preoccupied with his own life in Chapter 3? Give details to support.

5. Upon arriving to pickup Jonathan for the party, what does Brent instantly regret as Jonathan comes out of the house? Why?

6. Summarize the transition from Brent's suicide attempt in Chapter 1 to the two friends' whirligig adventure in Chapter 2. What is the significance of the transition?

7. What is Brent's primary focus as he dresses for the party? Support with details.

8. How does Jonathan's attitude about the party differ from Brent's?

9. When Brent and Jonathan arrive at the party, what becomes apparent to Brent when he sees other guests? Why does this observation make him angry at Jonathan?

10. How does Brent spend the hours right before the party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Whirligigs affect people of all ages in the book. Select two characters who are from different generations and describe how their individual experience with a whirligig is unique to their age.

Essay Topic 2

1) Discuss in detail at least three instances where Brent blames others for his own mistakes.

2) Explore how Brent could have saved himself a lot of unnecessary pain by taking ownership of his actions in each of the three incidents.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the tangible and intangible gifts Emil shares with Brent. How do the two kinds of gifts interact?

(see the answer keys)

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