A. Study the word and definition.

1. deliberately - intentionally; on purpose

2. incongruous - incompatible; not belonging together

3. subsidize - give financial assistance to

4. avocation - hobby, work, profession

5. amoebae - a microscopic animal in water and soil

6. mundane - ordinary; boring

7. fixated - become overly concerned with one subject

8. exaggerated - increased to an abnormal degree

9. compensation - offset, counterbalance

10. berserk - mentally or emotionally upset

11. gestured - motioned with hands

12. artillery - large caliber weapons

13. oscilloscope - instrument that shows voltage

14. congealed - stuck together; jelled, solidified

15. schizophrenic - psychological disorder

16. mortified - humiliated, embarrassed

17. paranoia - difficult or dangerous situation

18. thrombosis - presence of a clot in a vessel

19. dismember - divide into pieces

20. incandescent - giving off light as result of being heated


B. Identify the character that best completes each statement about The Pigman.

21. John Conlan hopes to become an actor someday.

22. Being a famous writer is the goal of Lorraine Jensen

23. The memory game is presented by Mr. Pignati

24. As a nurse, Mrs. Jensen works long hours and weekends.

25. The Bore is the nickname for Mr. Conlan

26. At the zoo, Angelo Pignati likes to feed peanuts to Bobo

27. John calls his mom by the name of The Old Lady

28. The author of this novel is Paul Zindel

29. The librarian at Franklin High School is Ms. Reillen

30. Ms. Stewart is the typing teacher.

C. FILL IN THE BLANK

31. The story takes place in what city? New York City

32. A problem that occurs within one of the characters is called an internal conflict

33. A theme is the message from the book.

34. A problem among characters or events is called a conflict

35. The main setting for the novel is Staten Island

36. A problem that occurs outside the character, with other characters, nature, or beliefs is called an external conflict

D. In the spaces provided, mark each true statement

and each false statement.

__T__37. John and Lorraine make prank telephone calls.

__F__38. Lorraine and John meet the Pigman because of a school project.

__F__39. Mr. Pignati’s wife is on a trip in California.

__T__40. John’s father offers him a job.

__T__41. Lorraine and John pretend they are Mr. Pignati’s children.

__F__42. Lorriane’s mother shows respect for her patients.

__T__43. John suggests that he and Lorraine host a party at the Pigman’s house.

__F__44. John gets drunk and destroys the pig collection.

__T__45. The Pigman cries when he finds out that his favorite animal has died.

__F__46. John’s mother does not keep the house clean and this causes them to be ill.

__F__47. Conchetta Pignati is spending the summer in California.

__T__48. Paul Zindel wrote this book to connect with teens and acknowledge that their thoughts on problems are real—in the past and in the present.


E. Select the best answer choice for each of the following questions.

49. What is a ‘tin can’?

Firecracker______

50. They call Miss Reillen the Cricket because…

Her nylon stockings rub together ______

51. What does John want to do in this memorial epic that Lorraine is opposed to?

Curse______

52. Lorraine states that John gets away with a lot because…

He is attractive______

53. Lorraine says that John’s family is the source problem in his life, causing his bad behavior…

54. John invites Lorraine to Moravian Cemetery when they first meet…

55. Who is ‘Bore’?

John’s father______

56. Who is ‘The Marshmallow Kid’?

Norton Kelly______

57. How did Lorraine and John meet the Pigman?

Playing phone marathon______

58. Lorraine hooks the Pigman in her conversation with him by saying she is collecting donations for the…

Lorraine and John Fund______

59. Mr Pignati says that his wife is in…

California with her sister______

60. John’s fake name when meeting Mr. Pignati is

Mr. Wandermeyer______