View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What country does Vernon tell his mother he is going to?

2. What does Vernon always hear leaving Dr. Oliver Goosens' ambulance?

3. What reason does Vernon give the customs office for going to Mexico?

4. What is officer Gurie's first name?

5. What is Taylor's surname?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Mr. Deutschman have to get his haircut at the meatworks factory?

2. What advice does Vernon's mother give him before the trial?

3. How does Vernon change fate in Chapter 9?

4. Why does the Judge release Vernon?

5. Why does Vernon's mother say she is crying?

6. Describe Ella.

7. What does Vernon think about Jesus?

8. How did Vernon once help Taylor at a party?

9. Why does no boy in town love Ella?

10. What lesson does Vernon say he has learned?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the main turning points of the book? How does Pierre develop his story to get to each turning point? What happens to the story after a major turning point?

Essay Topic 2

Choose two of the following people and outline their influence on Vernon's life:

1. His mother.

2. Jesus.

3. Taylor.

4. Lally.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the book's themes?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 657 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample