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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 Scooter say about Mike and the party?

2. What does Elisa tell Dru about what she said to her concerning the drowned girl?

3. What does Dru's father do for a living?

4. What is the condition outside near the Nail?

5. What did Mike's father do when Dru's mother was married?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mike say about Scooter jumping?

2. What has Dru just finished, and what is she thinking about as she walks her dog looking at houses?

3. What does Scooter ask Mike and Dru to do, why does he ask them and what does Dru think of Scooter jumping?

4. What happens when Dru shows Elisa the mangled boot?

5. What does Dru do when she gets to Elisa's house and how does she take care of Elisa?

6. How is Elisa awoken after Dru had put her to bed and what does she do about Scooter's invitation? How does Dru react?

7. What does Hopi say about jumping?

8. Why is Dru different from the other teenagers at the Nail, what rumor does one teen say to Dru?

9. What does Dru do after Elisa falls asleep and how does she feel about her dad?

10. What does Scooter do while he is waiting for Elisa, what does Dru ask Elisa about Scooter's behavior and what is Elisa's response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Jumping the Nail", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement.) Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Jumping the Nail". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There is now a second car and a second drowned girl under the water. They sink to the deepest part of the sea, where no one can find them except those who jump the Nail. Therefore, the jumpers will delve into the deepest part of their insecurities, causing them to be swallowed whole by their insecure motivations. "Jumping the Nail" will return someday because there will always be teenagers with insecurities who are easily influenced by their peers.

1. Discuss what you think is meant by the statement above. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think it is only insecure teens who succumb to peer pressure? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss, in depth, other reasons besides insecurity that a teen might decide to jump off the Nail. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

In some sense, most novels, deal with the concept of good and evil. Discuss the following:

1. What are the forces allied with "good" in Jumping the Nail's world and what forces are allied with "evil"?

2. How does one distinguish good from evil? How is good distinguished from evil in "Jumping the Nail"?

3.Is there a universal consensus on what constitutes good or evil? Why or why not?

4. Do you generally agree with the ideas of good and evil in "Jumping the Nail"? Why or why not?

5. What are several examples of good and evil in your culture? Do you agree with these ideas? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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