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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. What kind of book does Furlong say he might like for Christmas?

2. What does Furlong have a head for?

3. What paper do Furlong and Eileen read?

4. What shop does Eileen want Furlong to buy her Christmas present in?

5. What year is the book set in?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Furlong sometimes treated badly as a child?

2. What is one reason Furlong never finds out for sure who his father is?

3. What does Furlong wonder if Eileen ever wonders about?

4. Why does Furlong often feel grateful?

5. What is the predominant religion in Ireland?

6. As a boy, what did Furlong once really want badly for Christmas?

7. What tradition do the five Furlong daughters do every Christmas?

8. What does Furlong say Eileen does too much?

9. What are some rumors about the laundry at the convent?

10. What is unusual about December in New Ross?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay comparing and contrasting Furlong's attitudes towards those less fortunate with those of his wife Eileen's.

Essay Topic 2

How does Furlong's short experience working in a mushroom factory shape his notions of labor, work, and wages? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

What kind of treatment does Furlong remember from his childhood from other children? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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