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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 does Dave's father promise him as they talk quietly together in Chapter 6, While Father is Away?

2. What does Dave refuse to do in Chapter 7, The Lord's Prayer despite how his mother treats him?

3. What do two of Dave's classmates tell him to do when they are on a field trip on a clipper ship?

4. When Dave's mother returns from the zoo, what does she do to him?

5. How does Dave feel about his brothers as he hears them laugh at a TV show while they eat their desserts?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 6, While Father is Away, what does Dave's father vow he will do for Dave someday?

2. Describe where Dave brings his son in the Epilogue and his emotions at that time.

3. Summarize Mother's reaction when she receives a letter from Mr. Zeigler praising Dave's efforts in school.

4. Describe why Dave is so fascinated with a piece of driftwood that is washing ashore in the Epilogue.

5. Describe the incident where Dave is stabbed by his mother.

6. As Dave enters fifth grade, what is his frame of mind?

7. Describe the actions of Dave's mother when she offers him a plate of food after ten days of not eating.

8. Describe the people Dave encounters after he is rescued.

9. Explain what Dave's mother does after he is stabbed.

10. Describe what Dave has to do while the rest of the family eats in the summer of 1971.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Evaluate the elements of cause and effect in this story using examples from the book.

- Choose three events from the story which cause Dave's life to undergo a change.

- How does he react to the events and their effects?

- How does he change emotionally in his own life and in his attitude toward the world?

Essay Topic 3

Explain how the school officials finally discover Dave's abuse.

- How do they collect the evidence they need to have Dave removed from his home?

- Who is the first person to report the suspected abuse of Dave?

(see the answer keys)

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