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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 does the boy's mother say out-of-the-blue while he is washing dishes with his father?
(a) "Paradise was not far away when I died."
(b) "Silence follows those who know the truth."
(c) "The queen smiles for a day."
(d) "We only live once."

2. What does the boy's mother do with the flower he gives her in Chapter 6?
(a) She eats it.
(b) She throws it away.
(c) She destroys it.
(d) She puts it in a vase in the window.

3. What version of the boy's story does he burn?
(a) The Irish version.
(b) The miscopied version.
(c) The English version.
(d) The final version.

4. Where is Eddie interrogated?
(a) In the shed.
(b) Behind the house.
(c) At the distillery.
(d) At the Donegal farmhouse.

5. The man with the baby sock said he would stop traveling on the bus after what happens?
(a) After he runs out of bus money.
(b) After he finds the owner of the sock.
(c) After he reaches his destination.
(d) After he finds the other sock.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Sergeant Burke want the situation with Eddie's death cleared up?

2. To whom is the boy attracted in Chapter 4?

3. Who is Jimmy from Chapter 4?

4. Where does Jimmy go to work for several years?

5. What is Claire's last expression?

Short Essay Questions

1. What causes the boy to realize his mother doesn't care what he reveals to anyone?

2. What scripture passages does the boy enjoy reading, but why do they trouble him?

3. Why does the boy's evening with Irene prove to be a disappointment?

4. Why does Sergeant Burke say he beat up Frank and why does he apologize for it?

5. The boy's mother is saddened throughout the entire novel, but why does her depression set in after her grandfather dies?

6. What does Father Nugent talk to the boy narrator about and why does it make him uncomfortable?

7. Describe the relationship between Tony, Katie, and the boy's mother.

8. What information does the boy's mother find out after Sergeant Burke dies that makes her angry?

9. Why is the boy again upset with his mother at the end of Chapter 5?

10. What does the boy recall about "unconditional love"?

(see the answer keys)

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