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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 was Palmer fearful the teacher would notice about him?

2. What does Palmer do to get himself detention after school?

3. What does Dorothy do on Palmer's birthday?

4. What does Palmer's dad get for him?

5. What does Palmer do with his toy soldiers the day after the big battle he had staged with them and the enemy eraser?

Short Essay Questions

1. Palmer explains to Dorothy that he is conflicted about school ending. What is the conflict he feels? At the end of the chapter, the narrator says "But another school was about to begin." Can you guess what this school is, and why it is beginning?

2. Palmer has an emotional roller coaster ride when he recognizes Nipper flying above the field. What different feelings wash over him including finally holding Nipper in his hands again?

3. After refusing The Treatment and leaving the gang, Palmer again places Nipper's needs above his. What does he decide to do next?

4. When Palmer refuses The Treatment from Farquar, what does he tell Beans when he is screaming at him? Why does he run from the gang then? What does Beans yell to Palmer as he is running away?

5. When the boys line up to practice wringing a pigeon's neck, Palmer lines up with them. What is this experience like for Palmer?

6. In Chapter 29, what is Dorothy's solution to Palmer's problem? What does she do, and how does Palmer react?

7. What kinds of harassment do Beans and the gang inflict on Palmer after he has walked away from the gang? Why?

8. In Chapter 32, Beans and the gang take Palmer to find Farquar for his birthday Treatment. When Beans demands that Farquar give Palmer the Treatment, he is faced with a bully bigger than himself. How does Beans respond to Farquar? How does Palmer?

9. Why are Dorothy and Palmer certain they must get Nipper out of town? What other options do they have?

10. How does Palmer attempt to trick Nipper into not finding him again when he is with his friends? Describe his solution. Does it seem like this would work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Palmer and the gang go to the railroad station in the middle of the night to see the five thousand caged pigeons for the shoot, Palmer is faced once again with a conflict of emotions. Describe the conflict in Palmer's mind and how he deals with it.

Essay Topic 2

When Dorothy says to Palmer "why are you doing this to me?" what does she mean? Why does she say this to Palmer? How does Palmer feel about what Dorothy says and about his behavior?

Essay Topic 3

Palmer notices that after letting Nipper leave, he is less anxious and tense. However, he also realizes the price he has paid for that relief. Discuss the price Palmer feels he has paid by letting Nipper leave.

(see the answer keys)

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