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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 Dave's punishment after the camping trip is over?

2. What kind of pets does Dave's family have Chapter 2, Good Times?

3. What does Dave's mother teach him in a small trenched hole at the Russian River?

4. How does Dave's relationship with his mother change in Chapter 3, Bad Boy?

5. How does Dave manage to steal food from his classmates?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the police officer tell Dave as they drive toward the outskirt of Dale City in Chapter 1, The Rescue?

2. Describe what Dave's mother does on the days his father is at work, beginning in Chapter 3, Bad Boy.

3. Describe the two excuses Dave makes in Chapter 1, The Rescue, to explain how he got the bruises on his face.

4. Describe the Happy Hour that Dave's parents celebrate, as outlined in Chapter 3, Bad Boy.

5. As shared in Chapter 2, The Good Times, what is the family tradition about placing the angel on top of the Christmas tree?

6. Discuss why Dave does not mind having to run to school.

7. Describe the types of inquiries Miss Moss starts to ask Dave in Chapter 4, The Fight for Food.

8. Summarize the punishment Dave's mother inflicts upon him while the family is vacationing at the Russian River, as described in Chapter 4, The Fight for Food.

9. Describe the condition of Dave's mother on a typical day in Chapter 1, The Rescue.

10. Summarize the change that takes place in Dave's relationship with his mother in Chapter 3, Bad Boy.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, Dave's mother tortures him.

- Describe three of the punishments she inflicts upon Dave.

- Describe how he survives the punishments.

- Analyze his emotional state after the punishments are over.

Essay Topic 2

Describe Dave's relationship with his father.

- How does the relationship change throughout the book? Give examples from the book.

- How does Dave depend upon his father and does his father live up to the trust Dave puts in him? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze Dave as an adult.

- What does he vow to do with his life now that he is free?

- What has he done with his adult life to escape his past and move on?

- Explain how he prevents himself from falling into the black hole of self-pity.

(see the answer keys)

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