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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. Which character begins self-medicating, taking lots of pills, and sleeping for days at a time?

2. Who has Arty been training to take over Dr. Phyllis' position?

3. Who does Norval Sanderson leave the circus to visit?

4. How old is Miranda when Arty first visits her?

5. How does Oly calm herself when she thinks that she does not have the courage to continue with her plan?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the business endeavor the twins take on when they turn eighteen.

2. What does Oly see when she goes to massage Elly's muscles?

3. Chapter 19 is more like a scrapbook than typical prose. Name two devices employed, and briefly explain the significance of this unique chapter.

4. What affect does Norval Sanderson have on Arturism?

5. How does Arty react to Oly's pregnancy?

6. How does Chick react to the scene in the twins' van?

7. How has Miss Lick gotten the video footage of Miranda?

8. What happens during Dr. Phyllis' surgery on the twins?

9. Why did Dr. Phyllis deny the twins what they were asking for?

10. Briefly describe what happens when the Bag Man enters the twins' van after becoming engaged to them.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pride is another emotion that runs heavily through the characters of the novel. In an essay, explain how have you seen pride and control intermingle throughout the text. Compare/contrast Arty's pride versus Oly's pride as well as the pride that Miss Lick has in her projects versus the pride that she hopes to gift her projects.

Essay Topic 2

Jealousy plays a large role in the relationships between the siblings. Choose two siblings and, in an essay, explore the way that jealousy has pervaded their relationship. Discuss the reasons why you think jealousy has become such a large part of these family dynamics, and explain how the Binewski family's system of value has played into the jealousy between siblings.

Essay Topic 3

As the novel progresses, it becomes clearer and clearer that Arty has taken full control of his family. In an essay, explore the progression of Arty's gradual control of the family through the course of the novel. Explain what you think is the psychology behind Arty's need for control. Is he an inherently "bad" person, or is it something deeper that Arty is searching for? Choose one of Arty's siblings and express how his control has affected that sibling's life - either positively or negatively.

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