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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. Why does the room appear empty to Simon?

2. Who is playing the piano?

3. What does Clary learn about her mother?

4. What does Clary find when she gets to her apartment?

5. What happens when the blue-haired boy notices the same thing that Clary notices?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hodge tell Clary about the peace accord sixteen years ago?

2. Who are the Forsaken?

3. Why does Clary run home frantically?

4. Where do Clary and Simon go and who do they see in line in front of them?

5. How does Jace react to Madame Dorothea and how does Clary defend her?

6. Who arrive at Luke's apartment and what do they discuss with Luke?

7. What does Clary encounter when she is searching for her mother and what does she do?

8. What does Clary find when she goes inside her apartment?

9. What does Dorothea discover in Jace and Clary's tea leaves?

10. Why is Simon at Luke's house and what has he seen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "City of Bones" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "City of Bones" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why this book is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

"City of Bones" belongs to the fantasy genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fantasy genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a fantasy and a historical novel?

(see the answer keys)

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