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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. What does Levi think Boaz may be doing?

2. What time does Boaz head back up to this room?

3. How does Boaz act on his leaves while in the military?

4. When does Amanda begin attending synagogue on a regular basis?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Who comes to spend Shabbat with Levi's family and what is he like?

2. Who is Zim and what does he have in common with Levi?

3. What does Levi tell Zim and Pearl about Boaz while they are at the yogurt shop?

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

5. How long does Boaz stay in his room and what does Levi say to Zim's desire to see Boaz?

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

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

8. What does Levi say about Boaz as a brother?

9. How does Pearl try to comfort Levi concerning Boaz?

10. Who do Pearl and Levi see at the movie and what happens after the show?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Seventeen-year-old Levi's older brother is coming home after three years in the service and serving in the war. Levi is cautious with his feelings. He used to look up to his brother, but Boaz' decision to join the military has had a very negative impact on the family. Levi doesn't understand the war, why it was necessary or why his brother would volunteer to be part of it.

It is obvious that Levi harbors a good deal of bitterness about his brother's decision. His mother has been worrying non-stop for three years. Levi thinks deep down that Boaz' decision was selfish.

1. Discuss the impact Boaz joining the Marines had on his family. Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss the reasons Boaz might have volunteered for the Marines and the reasons Levi might not agree with the war. Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think Boaz was selfish for joining the military? Why or why not? Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think The Things a Brother Knows is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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