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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. Which two groups does the boy's mother find out were collaborating together?

2. When do the boy's parents meet?

3. What advice does Crazy Joe give the boy in Chapter 6?

4. After his mother tells him much of the story of Eddie's death at the end of Chapter 5, why is the boy still hurt?

5. How does the boy's father die?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the boy's mother say that upsets Katie?

2. How does his mother's inability to speak because of her stroke affect her relationship with the boy?

3. How does the boy conclude that it was his mother who tipped off McIlhenny?

4. Why does Katie's family refuse to attend Meave's wedding?

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

6. Why does the boy's mother turn hostile toward him in Chapter 6?

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

8. Why is Crazy Joe such a valuable character to the story of Eddie's disappearance and death?

9. Who is Danno Bredin?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Does the boy narrator experience any form of catharsis in the novel? If so, what level of catharsis does he attain? Explain.

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

Compare and contrast the boy's mother and father.

1.) How are they different in their treatments of the boy? How are they same?

2.) What parts of the family secret does each of them know?

3.) How do their behaviors change over the course of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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