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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 happened once when Boaz was riding in a Humvee?

2. Who does Levi meet up with when he gets to his destination?

3. Where does Levi tell Celine he is when he calls her?

4. Why does Boaz become irate at Levi?

5. What does Levi wonder when he sees Boaz walking down the street?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Celine and Levi discuss about their brothers?

2. What do the three friends learn when they pull into a Motel 9 in Ridgewood?

3. Where do Boaz and Levi first go when they arrive in the Washington, D.C. area and who do they visit?

4. How does Loren respond to Levi saying he just wants Boaz to come home?

5. What does Levi do after they check in to a motel?

6. What story does Boaz tell the crowd at the Vietnam Memorial?

7. What do Levi and Boaz find at their stop in Riverside, New Jersey?

8. What happens when a Toyota truck goes speeding by Boaz and Levi as they are walking?

9. What does Celine say to Levi about her brother?

10. Where does Levi go when he splits off from Jack and Boaz and who does he meet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Adjusting to life as a civilian is difficult for Boaz. He stays in his room and sleeps, but he is probably just avoiding talking about his experience. He's not ready to discuss it yet. But his silence, just like his military service, is impacting the family. His mother is worried, but keeps reminding herself that at least he's home. Abba doesn't understand why his son is isolating himself and isn't just his old self. Levi is confused and hurt. Boaz's apparent depression is making Levi feel guilty.

1. Discuss why adjusting to civilian life might be difficult for Boaz. Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

2. How do you think Boaz's silence is affecting his family? Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

3. Compare Boaz's parents reactions to his behavior and why you think his mother and father are reacting differently. Use examples from The Things a Brother Knows and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Things a Brother Knows. Questions that Reinhardt most likely wants readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Reinhardt's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Reinhardt's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Reinhardt and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 3

The Things a Brother Knows belongs to the young adult novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young adult novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young adult novel and a historical novel mystery?

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