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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. Who does Bull blame for Ben's lack of a killer instinct?

2. Who uses the rape as an excuse to go after Toomer?

3. What does Ben think about Mr. Loring's teaching style?

4. What story does Mary Anne tell the kids while waiting to go to church on Christmas Eve?

5. With whom does Lillian have an argument before dinner the night of the big basketball game?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Bull restrict what Ben can eat on game day?

2. Why does Ben go to Toomer's even after Bull refuses to allow him to go?

3. What does Mary Anne confess to Ben during the prom?

4. Sammy arranges a date with a college girl by using a fake name. What does this say about Sammy's attitude toward women?

5. What is the significance of the story Mary Anne tells on Christmas Eve as the family waits for Bull to get ready for church?

6. Why is Arrabelle frightened for Toomer in the aftermath of the rape?

7. What is Ben's biggest fear as he tries out for basketball?

8. Why does Ben invite Mary Anne to the prom?

9. Ben teases Mary Anne about how much he will miss her when he goes to college. What does this say about their relationship?

10. Who is Junior Palmer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Who is Toomer? What impact does Toomer have on Ben's life? Why? hat does Toomer do for Ben that Bull cannot? Why can Bull not be the father for Ben that he needs? Why can Toomer provide these missing things for Ben? What does Toomer's presence in Ben's life say about his relationship with Bull?

Essay Topic 2

Why is Toomer frightened after the rape of Sammy's girl? Why does Red Pettus and his brother use the rape as an excuse to go after Toomer? How does Toomer protect himself? Why does Red shoot Toomer? How does Red die? Why does Bull refuse to allow Ben to go to Toomer's aid? Why does Ben defy his father? What does Ben find when he arrives at Toomer's? How does this change Bull and Ben's relationship?

Essay Topic 3

Ben is man of the family in his father's absence. How is the family different with Ben in charge? How is the family the same? How is Ben like Bull? How is Ben different? Will Ben grow up to be his own man, or will he follow in his father's footsteps? How has Bull's early death affected the course of Ben's life? How might Ben's life been different had Bull not died the way he did?

(see the answer keys)

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