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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 influence on one's life does Debbie discuss?

2. How does Rowanne use Hector as an excuse?

3. Towards what is Lenny's school career being steered?

4. What does Debbie find difficult?

5. In whom is Meadow interested?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Debbie learn from Lenny and how did that come about?

2. How does Debbie experience a response to physical contact with Hector?

3. How does Rowanne use Hector being with her with her friends?

4. What does Patty say about their question and what does Debbie think about it?

5. Where does Hector live in relation to Debbie, who is his sister and how does he feel about her?

6. How does Debbie get sunburned, and who was she with when it happens?

7. What experience does Debbie get with mechanical work?

8. Where is Lenny being steered in school, how does he manifest this in his life outside of school and what habit does he pick up?

9. What is Hector's main concern this summer?

10. What does Hector think about as he is putting up screens with his father, and what makes him think in that direction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Criss Cross" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Criss Cross"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Criss Cross" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Criss Cross". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Perkins chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Perkins chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Perkins's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Perkins use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

Debbie matures and grows throughout the book.

1. What do you think might be some of the reasons Debbie is maturing? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you think Debbie's maturity shown in the book is unrealistic in the short amount of time period the book covers? Why or why not?

3. Discuss the ways that Debbie shows changes in her maturity in the book.

(see the answer keys)

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