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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 is Deborah?

2. Who is Rachel?

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

4. Who does Tony want to be?

5. At the end of Chapter 5, whom does Brent serenade?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where does the drive take Jenny and Grandma?

3. What does Grandma know at the beginning of the journey that Jenny does not know? What makes the ride even more poignant with Jenny?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the wooden band whirligig's effect on Flaco's life. What changes does he make in his life because of the whirligig? What remains the same in his life?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

After two men try to steal his backpack, Brent realizes why animals live in herds. How is this thought analogous to Flaco's thought about the shearwater bird? Describe the connection between Brent, Flaco, and the wooden band whirligig.

(see the answer keys)

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