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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. In Chapter 28, where does Excel talk to Sab?

2. How long are flights from San Francisco to Belgrade, Serbia?

3. How much does Excel remember in Chapter 28 that Maxima and Joker paid for a lawyer to see what could be done about their situation?

4. What did Red drink in Chapter 16 when other artists brought beer to celebrate his work on the televisions?

5. In Chapter 22, for how many days did Excel imagine that he was younger than he was?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Excel send Z back to Serbia?

2. What finally came for Sab in Chapter 24, and what did it look like?

3. In Chapter 25, why does Excel feel like two separate people living in two different times and places?

4. Why does Gunter yell at Z in Chapter 25?

5. In Chapter 22, how did Excel celebrate his birthday late?

6. How does Sab feel when she receives the care package from Excel?

7. How do Maxima and Excel meet Jerry at the San Francisco International Airport?

8. How was Excel born?

9. In Chapter 26, how does Sab react when Excel tells her he is an illegal immigrant?

10. What story does Excel tell Maxima about needing money in Chapter 18?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Flashbacks are a literary device used to provide information about events that took place before the story began. How does the author use flashbacks in the novel? How does the author’s choice to use flashback affect the plot?

Essay Topic 2

Joker had a heart attack in a restaurant. Why did Maxima treat Joker as a stranger when she asked a clerk to call an ambulance for Joker? Why did Excel walk away? Why does Excel feel guilty about Joker’s death?

Essay Topic 3

Maxima works odd jobs and talks to men to get money. Excel works at a pizza parlor. How would you describe Maxima and Excel’s socioeconomic status? What does the author convey about poverty through their lives?

(see the answer keys)

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