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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. Who comes to dinner?

2. What does Levi find when he returns from a jog?

3. Why is Levi getting invited to a lot of end-of-the-year parties?

4. Where does Dov want to take Abba and the boys?

5. Why does Levi get annoyed with Zim?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened the night Boaz announces to the family of his intention to join the military?

2. Why does Levi feel like a sneak and thief?

3. What did Mrs. Bowers talk about in glowing terms?

4. How does Boaz's choice after high school impact the family?

5. How does Boaz act at dinner and what does he do after he's done eating?

6. How is Levi conflicted about Boaz and who has he told?

7. How do Amanda and Abba respond differently to Boaz's behavior?

8. Who is Christine and what does Levi think when he sees her?

9. What happens as Boaz and Christina return from a walk?

10. Who is Pearl and what is her relationship to Levi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Things a Brother Knows, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in The Things a Brother Knows. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not? Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Levi senses that his parents are too close to the situation and too emotional to help Boaz. He has growing concerns about Boaz. He thinks he is planning something and, given his psychological state, Levi fears that it could be disastrous. He knows that it's very unhealthy for Boaz to be isolating himself. His parents and grandparents are in denial. Even though Levi has some feelings of envy and bitterness about his brother who has always gotten more attention than he has, at least in his mind, Levi is showing how much he cares for his brother.

1. Do you think Levi's parents' emotions could be affecting their judgment? How could that happen? Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss the problems that could occur from Boaz isolating himself. Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

3. Why do you think Levi might envy his brother? Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in The Things a Brother Knows. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in The Things a Brother Knows. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme family in The Things a Brother Knows. Consider family as not only those related by blood but also those related by friendship bonds.

(see the answer keys)

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