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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. Adam hears the approach of a ____________ coming up on the road behind him.

2. Where does Adam wake up in a panic in the middle of the night?

3. When the boy was a child, he was teased for having his stuffed animal - Pokey the ________.

4. How many speeds does the boy's bike have on it, by his own account at the start of the story?

5. Where was Adam determined to prove that they lived, as his father told him this was the case?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Adam planning to do in the morning when he awakens at the beginning of this section?

2. What does Adam hope when the troublemakers come to hassle Adam on his bike?

3. How did Adam feel about his father and about what he had done to provide testimony?

4. What is the conversation Adam has with himself as the rain begins to pour heavily on his bike journey?

5. What is Whipper always trying to do to Adam as he rides his bike around the hospital?

6. What did Adam's father used to tease him about when Adam is just a child?

7. Why doesn't Adam tell Amy anything about his spying on his family?

8. What does the man do when Adam offers him $25 to tell him where his bike has gone?

9. What does Adam now see that his mother was afraid of, as be recalls in his interrogations?

10. Why were Adam and his parents taking that initial bus ride away from their home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It's fascinating to see an author use a very dark subject in order to tell a story for young adults.

Part 1: Do you think this story is realistic in its content? Why or why not?

Part 2: Do you think children should be sheltered from dark news and ideas? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think younger readers can benefit from this story? If so, how? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 2

While Adam Farmer is seen to be a bit of a frightened person at times, other times he demonstrates bravery.

Part 1: Why do you think Adam is seen as a frightened person? What is the proof he is fearful?

Part 2: Why do you think Adam could also been seen as a very brave person? Cite your proof.

Part 3: Do you think Adam is a brave person or a frightened person? Or is he a mix of the two?

Essay Topic 3

Though Adam may not be growing up in the story itself, the story and his memories reveal the course of his life.

Part 1: Why do you think so many Young Adult books focus on coming of age issues?

Part 2: How do you think Adam grows up from the beginning of the book to the end of the book? Or doesn't he?

Part 3: In what ways does Adam come of age in this book? Describe some specific moments which point to Adam growing up.

(see the answer keys)

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