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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. According to Paul, what keeps him invisible?

2. Why is it surprising Bobby makes it to high school and college?

3. According to Paul, what is the only dirty book he has ever read?

4. What award does Paul get in seventh grade?

5. What achievement does Paul acquire by the end of his sophomore year?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Paul apply for Philips Academy? What does he hope for at a new high school with different people?

2. Explain the importance of camaraderie in Paul's view.

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

4. 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?

5. How does Paul's dating affect him and everyone else around him as well?

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

7. Describe the hierarchy of class among the students at Philips Academy. Where does Paul fit? Where does he want to be?

8. How does Paul change as soon as he attends college?

9. Describe Jackie and Big Paul's reaction to Paul's magazine collection.

10. Compare and contrast Paul and Kite's relationship to Paul and Richie's relationship.

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

Paul grows up in a middle class family but earns privileges with scholarships to Philips Academy and Yale. Explain how Paul's taste for life changes from his middle class Andover background.

Essay Topic 3

When Paul is able to maintain relationships, he stays even when he is aware they are not healthy for him. Why does he remain in the relationship? What stops him from ending them even though he is aware of the consequences? Consider at least two relationships and explain how they finally end.

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