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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. In what year does the novel conclude?

2. To what does Father Nugent compare murder?

3. What does the boy's mother say out-of-the-blue while he is washing dishes with his father?

4. How long are Bernadette and Ena kept in the shed until the boy's father finds them?

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 happens to Jimmy and Claire?

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

4. What does Sergeant Burke reveal about Eddie's death and Tony's involvement?

5. In what ways are the problems of Northern Ireland just beginning as the problems the boy faces are now ending?

6. What does Crazy Joe know about the mystery surrounding Eddie's death?

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

8. Why does the boy narrator find it important to his relationship with his mother that he keep her secret?

9. What is Sergeant Burke's purpose for going to the boy's mother and revealing all that he knows of Eddie's death?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

What is the significance of disappearance and death as themes in the novel?

1. Are these themes important to keeping the secret a mystery to the boy?

2. How does the story of Eddie's death change for the boy as more people disappear or die?

3. How are the stories told by the characters (Sean, Francis, Frances, Brigid, Claire Falkener, Grenaghan, etc.) all related to this theme of death and disappearance?

(see the answer keys)

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