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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. How does Palmer describe the weeks following his birthday?
(a) A parade and Palmer is the grand marshall.
(b) A barrel of laughs with the gang.
(c) A time like any other.
(d) A lonely and anxious time.

2. What does Palmer hear in his dream on the night of his birthday?
(a) "You have run out of birthdays."
(b) "You are finally nine years old."
(c) "Your father must respect you to give you the soldiers."
(d) "You are so cool."

3. While he is with the gang deciding what to do next, what amazing thing happens to Palmer in front of the gang?
(a) Palmer kisses Dorothy.
(b) Nipper lands on his head.
(c) He falls and breaks his leg.
(d) Nipper bites Beans on the nose.

4. Who is tapping at Palmer's window early one morning?
(a) Beans and Mutto.
(b) Dorothy.
(c) A pigeon.
(d) A squirrel.

5. What is the nickname the boys give Palmer at his party?
(a) Jelly.
(b) Snots.
(c) Fishface.
(d) Squirt.

Short Answer Questions

1. For the gang, what makes a birthday official?

2. How does Palmer learn about pigeons?

3. What does Palmer believe he will receive from lasting out his time with Farquar?

4. What is Beans' real name?

5. What does Palmer finally admit to Dorothy?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Palmer come up with the name for his pigeon? What do people feel about animals when they name them? How does Palmer feel about his pigeon?

2. What chores does Palmer offer to do for himself? Why does he offer to take care of his own room?

3. In Chapter Three, Palmer joins his new friends out on the street. When Beans asks about Dorothy, Palmer does not answer at first. How does Palmer initially react to the gang's behavior toward Dorothy? Why does he join them as they run down the street after their prank?

4. In Chapter 25, Palmer has a wonderful day in which he is relaxed and happy. The day dissolves into emotional distress. What happens to make Palmer nervous and upset? What two parts of Palmer's personality come into conflict?

5. When Palmer returns from Beans' birthday party he finds Dorothy waiting in his room. She sarcastically calls him Snots and talks about his gang. What does she say, and what does she really mean?

6. Palmer tries to explain to Dorothy why he cannot tell people he does not want to be a wringer. What kinds of pressure does he feel? How does he think people will react?

7. When the gang attacks Dorothy with snow balls on the first day of school, Palmer joins in without hesitation. How does he rationalize his behavior toward her?

8. What scene do Mutto, Beans and Henry enact at the park? How does Palmer react to their display? Why does he react this way?

9. Who does Palmer find in his room the night before the pigeon shoot? Why? What do we learn about Palmer?

10. When the boys find Farquar, he is on the soccer field and all but Palmer rush over to see him. Why does Palmer lag behind? What is he experiencing walking onto the field?

(see the answer keys)

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