View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens to Billy Mahon?

2. Who teaches the boy's math class?

3. Who is Meave?

4. What key theme of the novel is introduced in Chapter 1?

5. What is the first physical change Francis and Frances encounter?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the boy try to run away in Chapter 3?

2. What does the boy's grandfather tell him right before he dies?

3. How can we see in Chapter 2 that the belief in the supernatural is a powerful force in Northern Ireland during this time?

4. How is the boy's father's life seen as very difficult and sad?

5. Describe Grianan.

6. What memory does the boy have of an interaction between him and Crazy Joe?

7. What happens to Frances and Francis?

8. How is the theme of disappearance used in Chapter 1?

9. How are superstitions introduced in Chapter 1?

10. What local belief surrounds the Field of the Disappeared?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, the boy's mother deals repeatedly with depression as her role in Eddie's death is progressively revealed.

1. How is she involved in the mystery surrounding Eddie's disappearance?

2. How is her relationship with Tony McIlhenny a factor in her involvement?

3. Do you think she should feel guilty?

Support your answers with evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the novel, the boy encounters and overcomes many difficult situations in order to piece together his family's history and to find out what happened to his uncle. The story is riddled with sadness, death, poor choices, and loss; how can this story be redeemed? Is there any hope in this story? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 3

There are several symbols discussed in the novel. Discuss the use and meaning of disappearance, death, fire, and tradition.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 880 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample