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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 Keith ask Ginny via IM?

2. What number letter does Ginny open?

3. How is Ginny's perfect night marred?

4. Why is Ginny relieved when she uses the ATM?

5. What are Keith and Ginny unable to find in Richard's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Keith and Ginny talk about at the cemetery and what do they do?

2. What does Ginny tell Keith about Richard and what does he say to her?

3. What does the key fit and what does Ginny find there? What does she do next?

4. How does Ginny find a key?

5. How do Ginny and Carrie lose their backpacks?

6. What is one of Peg's rules about the states and who does Ginny contact in the hostel in Paris? What happens when she does?

7. How does Ginny find out who Piet is and what does she find out from him?

8. How does Ginny know what to pay the Knapps, what amazes her about the bill and the amount?

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

10. What does Ginny do when she leaves Richard after learning he was Peg's husband?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Ginny always felt as though she was more interesting around her Aunt Peg. She was rather shy and tried hard to blend in wherever possible, which was almost impossible with a thirty pound green and purple backpack. It is a June afternoon when Ginny arrived at the 4th Noodle Penthouse to pick up the package left to her by Aunt Peg. The smell is immediately familiar and she half expects Peg to come in any second, but of course that is impossible. She can't believe her Aunt is actually gone. Her visits to Peg had been infrequent, but magical. Peg had always been flighty, so when her phone stopped working, no one panicked.

1. Discuss, in detail, why you think Ginny always felt more interesting around her aunt. Use examples from your own life and "13 Little Blue Envelopes" to support your answer.

2. Discuss, in detail, ways in which you think Ginny could overcome her shyness. Use examples from your own life and "13 Little Blue Envelopes" to support your answer.

3. Discuss what you think Ginny might be feeling and thinking when she enters the penthouse. Use examples from your own life and "13 Little Blue Envelopes" to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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