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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. At the end of Story Four, what does the reader learn about the narrator's fishing gear?
(a) The Old Man had packed it all along.
(b) The narrator left his gear behind on purpose.
(c) It mysteriously turns up next to the sleeping bags.
(d) The Bumpus family stole it.

2. How long does the Shepherd-Bumpus feud last?
(a) Three weeks.
(b) Nine years.
(c) Until the Bumpus family moves away.
(d) Until the narrator goes off to college.

3. The narrator lives in Northern Indiana with whom?
(a) Father, mother, and sister.
(b) Parents and grandmother.
(c) Parents and uncle.
(d) Father, mother, and brother.

4. What marks the start of the Shepherd-Bumpus feud?
(a) The Old Man calls the Bumpus family country hicks.
(b) Mr. Bumpus rams his truck into the Old Man's porch.
(c) Blaring country music is played every night.
(d) The ham is taken by the hounds.

5. When the narrator realizes he forgot to pack something for the Michigan trip, where does he remember leaving it?
(a) Beside the garage door.
(b) On the porch.
(c) In his closet.
(d) On his nightstand.

Short Answer Questions

1. Once the Shepherds get to the County Fair, Randy accompanies his mother to see what?

2. At their Michigan destination, what does the narrator say when the Old Man starts talking about going fishing?

3. For the family's Michigan trip, what does the Old Man pack into the Sears luggage rack on the car roof?

4. During the family's road trip to Michigan, why does Mother suddenly insist that the Old Man stop the car?

5. What does the narrator say is one of the most popular playground games at his school?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author lead the narrator into telling the story of his top-spinning battle with Scut Farkas?

2. How do the brothers behave at the County Fair?

3. How does the narrator trick Farkas into challenging him to a battle of spinning tops?

4. How does Delbert Bumpus disrupt life at school?

5. Describe the sense of anticipation the Shepherd family members feel as they prepare to experience the County Fair. What is each family member looking forward to the most?

6. Explain how the narrator prepares for his spinning tops battle against Farkas.

7. Which member of the narrator's family seems to be the most excited at the County Fair?

8. What is top spinning, and why are the boys of Warren G. Harding Elementary School so obsessed with this pastime?

9. How does the house next door to the Shepherds transform after the Bumpus family moves in?

10. Describe some of what makes the Shepherd family a traditional one.

(see the answer keys)

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