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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. Where does Keith go when he hops a fence?

2. What does Piet tell Ginny about Aunt Peg's instructions?

3. What does Ginny tell her companions?

4. What does Carrie ask Ginny?

5. What is Aunt Peg afraid to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Ginny suppose to go after Rome, where is she suppose to stay and why?

2. What does Ginny do the first day with the Knapps?

3. What does Ginny see with Knud and what happens there?

4. What does Peg tell Ginny about the last envelope and what does Ginny say when Carrie asks her when she is going to open it?

5. What does Keith tell her when she sees him at the hostel and what do they do from there?

6. What does Ginny find at the second hostel she stops at and how does she end up spending the night there? What does she do once she has a place?

7. What does Olivia tell Ginny when they discuss using the internet?

8. What does Peg say about Paris when she finished her job at the cafe and what does she tell Ginny she is to do next?

9. Who does Ginny meet at the hostel in Copenhagen, what do they nickname her and why?

10. How does Ginny find a key?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "13 Little Blue Envelopes" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "13 Little Blue Envelopes". 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 Johnson 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 Johnson chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Johnson'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 Johnson 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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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