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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is it reasonable to assume the flower necklaces floating away toward the sea at the end of the day might symbolize?
(a) The brief nature of youth and innocence.
(b) The danger of Doodle's trust in Brother.
(c) The beauty of Brother and Doodle's relationship.
(d) The ease with which nature can be harmed.

2. What are Doodle's last words?
(a) "Don't leave me!"
(b) "Don't hurt me!"
(c) "I told you."
(d) "I love you."

3. What draws the family's attention to the ibis?
(a) A croaking noise.
(b) The loud reaction of their chickens.
(c) The sound of its wings.
(d) A flash of red.

4. What is the "caul" that Doodle is born with?
(a) A piece of the sac that protected him before he was born.
(b) A red, bird-shaped birthmark.
(c) A full head of hair.
(d) A hand that is curved like a hook.

5. What causes Brother to say that Doodle is a "burden in many ways" (3)?
(a) Doodle talks almost all the time.
(b) Doodle is getting too heavy for Brother to pull in the cart.
(c) The doctor has made a long list of rules for taking care of Doodle.
(d) Brother's friends make fun of Doodle.

6. Who is the first to see the ibis?
(a) Aunt Nicey.
(b) Brother.
(c) Doodle.
(d) Daddy.

7. When Mama tells Brother that she is afraid that Doodle might not be "all there," what is Brother's response (2)?
(a) He tells her that they will have to wait and see.
(b) He asks if that is what the doctor said.
(c) He decides to kill Doodle.
(d) He says that he will love Doodle anyway.

8. The sentence "Mama once said, 'And bless the Pearsons, whose boy Joe was lost at Belleau Wood'" (8) is an example of which literary technique?
(a) Metaphor.
(b) Hyperbole.
(c) Sarcasm.
(d) Foreshadowing.

9. When Brother says that "the flood of childish spite evanesced" (11), what is he saying happened?
(a) His pride was like a flood of water.
(b) The storm started to break.
(c) He could see through the trees to where Doodle lay on the ground.
(d) His anger went away.

10. When Doodle smiles at Brother for the first time, how does Brother feel?
(a) Sad and angry.
(b) Confused and worried.
(c) Suspicious and numb.
(d) Happy and excited.

11. What evidence is there that Brother is pushing Doodle too hard?
(a) Doodle becomes feverish and has nightmares.
(b) Doodle begins to have nose bleeds.
(c) Doodle talks less and seems confused at times.
(d) Doodle begins to have trouble breathing.

12. When is the story being told?
(a) Some years after the events of the story take place.
(b) In the winter, after Doodle dies.
(c) Immediately after the events of the story take place.
(d) At the end of Brother's life.

13. What Biblical event does Aunt Nicey mention when the boys tell the family that they have a big surprise for them?
(a) Noah being swallowed by a "great fish."
(b) The Flood.
(c) The Resurrection.
(d) Adam and Eve eating the apple.

14. How does Brother respond to Doodle's love for natural beauty?
(a) He gets Doodle art supplies so that he can paint flowers.
(b) He decides to teach Doodle to swim.
(c) He takes Doodle to Old Woman Swamp over and over.
(d) He gets Doodle a book full of pictures of flowers.

15. Why, at the end of summer, does Brother start to push Doodle so hard in his "training" efforts?
(a) Brother knows that when school starts, Doodle is likely to be too busy to keep training.
(b) Brother knows that when winter comes, Doodle is likely to be too ill to keep training.
(c) School is coming and Doodle does not yet have the physical skills to keep up with other boys.
(d) Harvest season is coming and Brother wants Doodle to be strong enough to help this year.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old is Doodle when they reveal to the family that he can walk?

2. What happens when Brother begins to dance Aunt Nicey around after they reveal that Doodle can walk?

3. What does Brother say causes him to run home during the storm?

4. When does the family finally bring Doodle out to be with the rest of the family?

5. Where do Doodle and Brother imagine living when they are older?

(see the answer keys)

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