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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. How does Paul discover that homosexuality exists beyond his own world?

2. What is Gus and Abbot's relationship with the Monette family?

3. According to Paul, what keeps him invisible?

4. What shameful act does Paul go along with to get on Jake's good side?

5. What does Paul realize about Lonnie years after their encounter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the atmosphere at Philips Academy. Include brief history, the students who attend, the faculty and staff, and school norms.

2. What happens by the end of 8th grade that makes Paul more determined to hide his homosexuality? What is Paul's reaction to this event?

3. As Paul plays as child, what causes an argument between his mother and father? How does each of them feel about Paul's playing habits?

4. How does Paul relate to Jarrel's poem "The Woman at the Washington Zoo?"

5. Describe in detail what Paul sees as he gets his lunch by the sixth grade lockers. What is his reaction?

6. Why does Paul consider his parents brave? What shows that his parents are different from other parents in Andover?

7. What three things are against Paul when he enters Philips Academy? How does it tag him as a "loser" from the beginning?

8. What are Monette's two childhood memories before age six? In hindsight, what do these memories indicate to Paul Monette as an adult?

9. In reference to Bobby and his father's relationship, Paul quotes "Let them be the male-bonded unit." Why does Paul italicize "them" in this statement? Where else in Chapter 1 is this italicizes reference seen? What does this indicate about how Paul really feels?

10. What is Paul's reaction and determination as Sean spends more time with alone or with Amy during summer break in California?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Paul's relationship with his father and compare it to Bobby's relationship with their father. What bonds does BIg Paul have with the boys? In what way? Does one relationship seem stronger than the other? How so? How does it come to be this way?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Paul's experience in Europe as he explores outside of the United States for the first time. What adventures does he partake in? What lessons does he learn in life? What memories is Paul able to bring back home?

Essay Topic 3

Jackie and Big Paul raise Bobby as if there is nothing medically wrong. What benefits and consequences result for Bobby and the family from this style of coping? Consider physical and emotional benefits and consequences.

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