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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. Why doesn't Barrett answer all of Paul's uncle's questions about Paul?

2. What does Paul invite his uncle to do?

3. What branch of military was Barrett involved in?

4. What does Paul's uncle ask Barrett about?

5. What does Mother say Paul has that she needs?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Paul invite Oscar to do while at the races?

2. What is Paul's main motivation in life?

3. Who is Barrett?

4. What does the house say to the children?

5. Why does Oscar take Paul to the horse races?

6. How is Paul different from his siblings?

7. How does Barrett stay safe while betting?

8. How do Paul's sisters feel when they watch him play with his favorite toy?

9. How does Oscar respond when he sees what Paul's first bet at the horse races is?

10. How does Oscar feel when he sees Paul playing with his favorite toy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jean was a minor character whose presence made a big difference in the plot. How did she accomplish this? What are some ways that her presence, though brief, altered the outcome of the plot? What would have happened differently if she had not been in the book at all?

Essay Topic 2

What role does symbolism play in the story and where does it appear? How is the plot altered by the presence of these symbols?

Essay Topic 3

How do you think Mother will change after the death of Paul?

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