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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. Boy makes a fortune during what time period because he specializes in providing bulky, comforting and cheap food?

2. Liesl was raised in what religion?

3. What are the police puzzled to find in Boy's mouth?

4. Where does Dunstan place Mary Dempster for care after her aunt dies?

5. When Dunston arrives home after refusing to kiss Leola and calls the Staunton household, who answers the phone?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Dunstan not want to write Boy's memoir when Denyse asks him to?

2. How is Boy's second wife described in the book?

3. Why does Dunstan enjoy writing the autobiography of Magnus Eisengrim?

4. What are Paul's hopes for the show after Mexico?

5. Why does Dunstan feel that Boy is using him in his entourage?

6. What causes Boy to take a walk by himself during the Christmas season of 1936?

7. Why is Dunstan furious at Boy when Boy gives him the roll of film to develop?

8. Before Dunstan leaves to return to Colborne college, what does he convince Paul to do?

9. What does Dunstan think is suspicious about the way Leola died?

10. Why, at Leona's funeral, does Dunstan feel ashamed after speaking with Milo Papple?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 1, Percy Staunton is referred to as the narrator's "lifelong friend and enemy." Using examples from the book, which would you say Percy was to the narrator - a friend or an enemy?

Essay Topic 2

Both the Catholic priest in Deptford and Padre Blazon refer to Mary Dempster as a fool-saint, whereas Dunstan thinks of her as a true saint. Please explain what a fool-saint and a saint are, what the differences are between the two, and whether you agree or disagree with the characterization of Mary Dempster as a fool-saint. Support your answer using examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Using examples from the book, how has Dunstan's personality and character changed throughout the story? When he was a child, how did he deal with his problems? How does he deal with them as an adult? What was important to him as a child, and what is important to him now? Why did Dunstan's character change?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 640 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample