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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 gives Ruby an indication about how Marshall feels about her discovery?

2. What is Ruby's job when Jaime's family begins to arrive?

3. What photos are on the wall of the apartment where they deliver the duvet cover?

4. What is Reggie's philosophy about his relationship with Harriet?

5. What do Olivia and Ruby discuss?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Ruby visit Olivia and why is Olivia there?

2. What does Nate tell Ruby about his mother's new life?

3. What does Ruby overhear when she goes to the Cross house for the pies?

4. What changes have been going on with Gervais?

5. Describe Ruby's confrontation at Marshall's place.

6. What does Ruby do in the clearing after Olivia drops her there?

7. What does Nate bring Ruby and what is his response to her questions?

8. What is worrying Ruby as Valentine's day is approaching?

9. What happens when Ruby gets back to Cora and Jaime's house and is obviously impaired?

10. What do Cora and Ruby talk about the next morning after Ruby's drunken episode?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Ruby and Cora. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Nate and Marshall. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Lock and Key help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Harriett explains that in her family, someone is always mad at someone else and so the two are not speaking. However, later there will be some different argument so the two have to make up in order to band against someone else. Harriett seems to believe this is typical of families and Reggie says this explains a great deal about Harriett. His own thoughts about families are very different. He talks about shared history and beginnings. As they laugh at each other's thoughts, they both realize they are considered the black sheep of their respective families. Ruby will later come to discover that shared traits and situations are important to families and friendships.

1. Discuss Harriett's character explaining how the way her family interacts might have helped form the person she is as an adult. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

2. Discuss Reggie's character explaining how the way his family interacts might have helped form the person he is as an adult. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

3. Discuss, in detail, what issues you think Harriett and Reggie might have to deal with given their backgrounds and views on family if they were to ever get married. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in Lock and Key? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in Lock and Key including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from Lock and Key and your own live to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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