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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 made Ginny order what she did?

2. What does Ginny do when she gets back to Richard's flat?

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

4. What time does Keith say it is when he comes down to get in his car?

5. What changed that Keith does not have to leave school?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Richard say when asked what he sold the Queen?

3. What is Ginny's first "assignment"?

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

5. Who opens the door when Ginny goes to the address in London given in the letter?

6. What do Ginny and Keith discuss over a beer and coke?

7. What is Ginny's experience the second night of Keith's show, and what does he do?

8. What is contained in the second envelope?

9. What happens when Keith makes a romantic overture to Ginny?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of "13 Little Blue Envelopes", Ginny grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "13 Little Blue Envelopes" might be considered a slice of Ginny's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that this story is a "bildungsroman" of Ginny Blackstone. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Ginny as she changes from a shy teen to a more confident young woman. What are the significant events that change Ginny?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Ginny's growth throughout "13 Little Blue Envelopes", do you think "13 Little Blue Envelopes" could be considered Ginny's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "13 Little Blue Envelopes" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "13 Little Blue Envelopes".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "13 Little Blue Envelopes". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of the story. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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