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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After Shawn's father sits on his oversized crib, what does he do to Shawn?
(a) Smothers him with a quilt.
(b) Kiss him.
(c) Bends his thumbs into right angles.
(d) Smothers him with a pillow.

2. What type of audience does The Alice Ponds Show attract?
(a) The type of audience that watches PBS specials.
(b) An uneducated, loud audience.
(c) A wealthy, philanthropic audience.
(d) An educated, boysterous audience.

3. What are the two ruffians asking about for when they threaten Shawn?
(a) Cindy.
(b) The bus.
(c) Drugs.
(d) Money.

4. When Shawn starts watching The Alice Ponds Show and Dad and Cindy come on the screen, what happens?
(a) Shawn has a large seizure and cannot focus on the interview.
(b) The show is interrupted by a special news report about Earl Detraux.
(c) Shawn has a small seizure and cannot focus on the interview.
(d) The electricity goes off.

5. How is Sydney McDaniel introduced on The Alice Ponds Show?
(a) As a man who is considering the murder of his own child.
(b) As a prize-winning writer who can explain the nature of pure evil.
(c) As a parent who kills.
(d) As a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and author.

6. What happens to Shawn and his father after his father finishes speaking in Chapter 16?
(a) Tears run down both of their cheeks.
(b) They breathe in unison.
(c) They lock eyes.
(d) Shawn's father releases their thumbs.

7. What does Shawn explain at the end of the angel dream?
(a) I don't want to die!
(b) I don't want to be an angel!
(c) I am not an angel!
(d) Angels aren't real!

8. In the stanza of the poem that opens Chapter 12, who or what is dead?
(a) Hope.
(b) Sydney.
(c) Shawn.
(d) Understanding.

9. After Shawn's father sits on Shawn's oversized crib, what does he put in his lap?
(a) A quilt.
(b) Shawn.
(c) A pillow.
(d) A mobile.

10. According to Shawn, how often does Shawn visit his father's house?
(a) Once a month.
(b) Never.
(c) Many times during his seizure travels.
(d) Once when he is four.

11. While at the Pacific Science Center, Shawn indicates someone "looks a lot more 'mad' back then." Who is Shawn referring to?
(a) Sydney McDaniel.
(b) Earl Detraux.
(c) Einstein.
(d) Alice Ponds.

12. Shawn's father's house can be described as what?
(a) A typical suburban home in Seattle.
(b) Surrounded by a cherry orchard.
(c) A simple two-story house.
(d) A home befitting a Pulitzer Prize winner.

13. What shocks Shawn while he is dreaming about the angels?
(a) That he and his father are actually talking.
(b) That his father thinks he is an angel.
(c) That he can hear his own voice.
(d) That his father sees him.

14. What item is not in Shawn's father's bedroom?
(a) A photograph of Shawn, his parents, and his siblings.
(b) A photograph of Shawn's sister.
(c) A photograph of Shawn.
(d) A poster from the science center.

15. What does the reader know for sure Vonda has in her purse?
(a) Glitter.
(b) Shawn's father's book.
(c) A cell phone.
(d) Nail polish.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the interview of Earl Detraux on the Alice Ponds Show, what does Earl seem to think was significant about Collin's behavior while he was dying?

2. In Chapter 14, who refers to Shawn as "baby boy"?

3. In Chapter 12, what is Paul's punishment?

4. According to Shawn in Chapter 10, what does it mean when his mother sounds overly positive?

5. In the dream about Ally, where are Ally and Shawn sitting?

(see the answer keys)

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