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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why do the brothers run their fingers around the empty bowls in Chapter 9, TALK TO ME?
(a) Because they are curious what the food tastes like.
(b) Because there is excess frosting left in the bowls.
(c) Because they are angry all the food is gone.
(d) Because they are so hungry and want all the food there is left.

2. Whys is Ma upset that Paps gets a new truck for the family?
(a) Paps stole the truck.
(b) Paps wasted all of their savings on a fancy truck.
(c) She wanted a car - not a truck.
(d) The truck does not have enough seats or seatbelts for the boys.

3. On the way home from the lake, the narrator reveals his brothers' ages. How old are they?
(a) Manny is 14 years old, and Joel is 12 years old.
(b) Manny is 9 years old, and Joel is 8 years old.
(c) Manny is 10 years old, and Joel is 8 years old.
(d) Manny is 9 years old, and Joel is 7 years old.

4. What object does the narrator use to tell the reader the size of the fish in the lake as mentioned on Page 19?
(a) Crescents.
(b) Leaves.
(c) Clumps.
(d) Cigarettes.

5. What does Paps say to the narrator as he dries him off in Chapter 10, YOU BETTER COME?
(a) "You grew" (46).
(b) "Get my boots from the closet" (49).
(c) Paps jokes "about needing to make some more boys to take our [the brothers'] places" (46).
(d) "I thought you disappeared" (49).

6. What do Paps and Ma do in the bathroom as described on Page 48?
(a) Have sex.
(b) Give each other massages.
(c) Fight over where the brothers are hiding.
(d) Kiss and dance.

7. What role does the narrator play in the "magic of God" (25)?
(a) The Father.
(b) The Holy Spirit.
(c) The Son.
(d) God.

8. How does the narrator know that Ma is delighted when Paps returns at the start of Chapter 10, YOU BETTER COME?
(a) Because she "made motorboat noises" (44).
(b) Because she "sent us [brothers] winks" (44).
(c) Because she "herded us [brothers] into the kitchen" (44).
(d) Because she "led us [brothers] to the bathtub" (44).

9. What is the weather like when the narrator's family goes to the lake?
(a) The air is cold and crisp.
(b) It is rainy.
(c) There is a heat wave.
(d) There is a nice warm breeze.

10. What are Ma and Paps doing in the bathroom while the brothers bathe in Chapter 10, YOU BETTER COME??
(a) Ma and Paps are both washing the boys.
(b) Flirting and playing with each other.
(c) Ma is doing her make-up, and Paps is fixing the plumbing.
(d) Arguing about money.

11. Where has Ma seen the "most water she ever saw in one place" (19)?
(a) In Brooklyn when men opened a johnny pump and water rushed forth.
(b) In upstate New York after the snow melted.
(c) In Brooklyn after it rained and puddles gathered on the sides of the street.
(d) In California in giant public swimming pools, where she swam in the summer.

12. According Chapter 5, THE LAKE, who is the only one in the family allowed to say he/she is scared?
(a) Ma.
(b) Manny.
(c) The narrator.
(d) Joel.

13. How does Ma respond when Manny asks worriedly if Paps is having a heart attack in Chapter 9, TALK TO ME?
(a) "What heart?" (41).
(b) Ma dismisses Manny.
(c) "That's all there is" (40).
(d) Ma "unlaced her work boots, slipped off her socks, and massaged her feet" (40).

14. What does the pregnant woman tell the brothers about babies outside the drugstore?
(a) All babies have daddies.
(b) She needs money for diapers.
(c) All babies are Christian.
(d) The brothers need to get away from her.

15. Why do the brothers have to go with Paps to work in Chapter 11, NIGHT WATCH?
(a) Because Ma is asleep at home, and they will wake her.
(b) Because Ma is working too, and no one is at home to watch them.
(c) Because Paps is afraid the boys will get in trouble.
(d) Because Paps needs extra help.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the brothers do with the baby robins that they find in the woods?

2. What do the brothers give the pregnant woman outside the drugstore?

3. What does the word "rappel" most likely mean on Page 25?

4. Why does Manny crawl into bed with his brother at the beginning of the story?

5. Why is the Chapter 2 called, NEVER-NEVER TIME?

(see the answer keys)

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