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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 Palmer give Dorothy to use in hopes of getting Nipper to stand on her head?

2. With whom does Palmer attend his second pigeon shoot?

3. What is the nickname the boys give Palmer at his party?

4. What does Palmer ask the boys to check him for when the bird is gone?

5. How does Palmer behave after chasing the bird down the street?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter Seven, how does Dorothy treat Palmer when he comes to show her his arm? How does he react?

2. What chores does Palmer offer to do for himself? Why does he offer to take care of his own room?

3. Palmer begins to identify a certain smell associated with the pigeon shoot. Describe the smell and how it injects itself into Palmer's life.

4. When the gang attacks Dorothy with snow balls on the first day of school, Palmer joins in without hesitation. How does he rationalize his behavior toward her?

5. Beans begins to escalate the treestumping of Dorothy to get a reaction from her, but she gives him none. His cruel behavior escalates until Dorothy finally does react. What is her reaction, and how does this affect Palmer?

6. How do Palmer's parents react to The Treatment?

7. What are some of Palmer's memories of his first pigeon shoot? What does this tell us about Palmer?

8. How does Palmer come up with the name for his pigeon? What do people feel about animals when they name them? How does Palmer feel about his pigeon?

9. What scene do Mutto, Beans and Henry enact at the park? How does Palmer react to their display? Why does he react this way?

10. Who does Palmer find in his room the night before the pigeon shoot? Why? What do we learn about Palmer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What part does Nipper play in Palmer's life? How is this non-speaking character such a major influence in the novel? What does Nipper represent to Palmer?

Essay Topic 2

When talking to Palmer about Nipper, Dorothy asks "why don't they just let him alone? What did he ever do to them?" Palmer's response is a powerful moment in the novel. What does Palmer say to Dorothy? Discuss the implications of his statement.

Essay Topic 3

There are two traditions in Palmer's town that frighten him, and yet he is drawn toward them both. What are these traditions? Why do they both frighten and interest Palmer? How are these two traditions similar?

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