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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What behavior does Ruth exhibit that lets Frank and Jake know how upset she is and truly frightens them as a result?
(a) She breaks all of the windows in the house.
(b) She crawls under the covers and will not leave her bed.
(c) She lets her cigarette burn down to its filter in her hand.
(d) She keeps pouring coffee into her cup even when the coffee is flowing onto the table and floor.

2. What reason do Julia and Axel give for cutting themselves off from the Drums as of late?
(a) Julia has had enough of Ruth's attitude.
(b) They have been out of town researching colleges for Karl.
(c) Their lawyer advised them not to speak to anyone.
(d) Their focus has been on protecting Karl and helping him through his grief.

3. Besides wanting to play, what is the true reason for Frank's and Jake's visit to see Danny?
(a) They want Danny to know that they still honor their friendship with him.
(b) They want to make sure Danny is unharmed.
(c) They want to ask Danny questions about Warren Redstone.
(d) They want to tell Danny to beware of Warren Redstone.

4. Which, if any, church service does Nathan insist on leading himself the Sunday following Ariel's death?
(a) The Fosburg service.
(b) The New Bremen service.
(c) The Cadbury service.
(d) He does not lead a church service that day.

5. What do the police tell Frank when they call just before the boys are about to leave for Ariel's visitation service?
(a) That Morris Engdahl is in jail for assaulting Danny.
(b) That Gus is in jail for assaulting Officer Doyle.
(c) That Morris Engdahl is in jail for attacking Emil.
(d) That Nathan is in jail for assaulting Ruth.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where are Morris Engdahl and his girlfriend when they are finally located by the police?

2. What is the only emotion Jake seems to exhibit following the news that Ariel is dead?

3. What does Frank's and Jake's grandfather give to them as a bonus for a job well done?

4. What simile does Gus use to describe Nathan's reaction to Ariel's death?

5. Where do Frank and Jake get the money to buy food and games at the celebration?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who acts as the go-between, bringing news back and forth between the police station and the Drum family and how does this role fit the character's relationship to the family?

2. Besides the sheriff's mention of Morris Engdahl, what happens to prompt Frank to tell the sheriff about Morris Engdahl's dislike of Ariel?

3. Why is Frank so surprised to see Ruth and Gus sitting together at the kitchen table when he and the rest of the family return from Sibley Park?

4. What news does Gus bring to Ruth while Nathan is at the funeral home making arrangements for Ariel's funeral?

5. What secret does Karl finally reveal to Nathan that makes it fairly clear that he had no hand in Ariel's murder?

6. What is the significance of how Frank spends the money he has been saving up from the yard work he does for his grandfather?

7. Why is it ironic that Ruth refuses to attend the New Bremen church service at which Nathan preaches right after Ariel's dead body is found?

8. What, if any, clues do Karl, Frank, Jake, the sheriff, and Officer Doyle find when they get to Sibley Park, the site of the bonfire party?

9. What elements of family life at the Drums' home drive Ruth to leave the family to stay elsewhere for a while?

10. What is the cause of Lise's heightened anxiety and frantic behavior when Nathan goes to Emil's house to talk to Ruth?

(see the answer keys)

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