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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. What is the final entry in Tony's journal about his vacation?

2. Why does Tony's mom let him quit taking violin lessons?

3. Why does Grandma ask Jenny to stop in the middle of a street?

4. Where does Brent mount the whirligig he finishes in Chapter 5?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. Where does the drive take Jenny and Grandma?

3. About what do the children warn Brent regarding the location of the wooden band whirligig?

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the story, Brent's parents unknowingly sabotage Brent's life. Give examples of their well meaning actions that have failed to benefit Brent.

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

Brent is forever changed after the automobile accident. Describe the old Brent as a person? How has he changed physically, mentally, and spiritually?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,019 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample