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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 is Ginny afraid to cross the road in Rome?

2. Where does Mari Adams live?

3. What does Ginny impulsively ask Keith?

4. What had Peg's letter said not to bring?

5. What is significant about the number of cast on stage?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Keith and Ginny go after having a drink?

2. How does Ginny decide to get the money to the artist?

3. Where does Ginny go and what does she get there?

4. How does Ginny meet Keith and what does he tell her?

5. How does Ginny feel at the door to the pub and what does Keith tell her?

6. What do Keith and Ginny do at the house in Edinburgh and what is Ginny told as she is leaving?

7. Who is Ginny supposed to meet in Edinburgh and why? How does Ginny feel about going there?

8. Who is Keith's roommate?

9. How does Ginny meet Fiona and David and what does Keith tell her about them? How does she feel about Fiona's plans?

10. Where does Ginny go at the Coliseum, what does she do and what does the letter she opens there say?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 "13 Little Blue Envelopes" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "13 Little Blue Envelopes" 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 2

Ginny decides to buy all the tickets to the show in order to donate the money to the producer. She then realizes the flaw in her plan. Though she'd bought out all the tickets, she effectively ensured that no one else would see him perform. The next morning Ginny finds herself evaluating the choices she made where clothing and footwear is concerned. She is sorry that she ever read the guidebooks that recommended white sneakers. She not only didn't blend in the way she generally preferred to, but actually stood out. Ginny realizes that this is likely one of the reasons Aunt Peg instructed her to avoid the guidebooks entirely. Frankly, she felt like a freak.

1. Discuss the ways in which Ginny both harmed and helped Keith by buying all the tickets. Use examples from your own life and "13 Little Blue Envelopes" to support your answer.

2. Ginny seems to have made a couple of bad choices in clothing and in giving away the money from her aunt. If Ginny was her friend what would you advise her? Use examples from your own life and "13 Little Blue Envelopes" to support your answer.

3. Thinking over a day in school, without names, discuss a student in your school who you thinks is like Ginny, shy and trying to blend in all the time. Use examples from your own life and "13 Little Blue Envelopes" to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Ginny is astounded that even from the grave Peg seemed able to give Ginny exactly what she needs most. She had always been good at that in the past, calling intuitively when Ginny needed her. Mari tells Ginny that she was sorry to hear about her Aunt's passing, and claims that Peg felt terrible about leaving Ginny behind. Ginny spends most of the train ride back to London explaining everything to Keith after which he tells her he doesn't like what Peg did to her. Ginny defends her. When they are almost home, he pulls out a small Godzilla that he stole from Mari's and Ginny gets angry. When he sees she doesn't want it, he tosses it on the tracks in the tube station, making Ginny even more angry. Unable to understand why she is so upset, he tells her he'll take the bus and disappears into the crowd before Ginny can say anything else.

1. Discuss, in depth, what you think about Peg's character that Ginny would think Peg could predict Ginny so well. Use examples from your own life and "13 Little Blue Envelopes" to support your answer.

2. Mara says that Peg felt terrible about leaving Ginny, and yet, Peg never contacted Ginny about her illness. Discuss what you think is the reason for this. Use examples from your own life and "13 Little Blue Envelopes" to support your answer.

3. Why do you think Ginny was angry at Keith and why do you think Keith became angry at Ginny's anger? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,499 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample