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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 Ginny tell Keith?

2. What does Ginny tell her companions?

3. What does Ginny do after going to the ATM?

4. What does Emmett tell the cab driver?

5. Where is Ginny to stay when she arrives at her destination on the night train?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ginny find a key?

2. Where does Ginny go first in Paris and what does the letter say that she opens there?

3. 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?

4. How does Ginny feel about getting out of the cemetery and what does Keith do when she says she missed the locking of the hostel?

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

6. 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?

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

8. How does Ginny get to use the internet in Amsterdam and what does she do on it?

9. 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?

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

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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "13 Little Blue Envelopes". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in the story. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "13 Little Blue Envelopes". Consider the death of Mike as an random act of nature and the death of Luis as the result of conscious violence. Consider also in your answer the death of innocence in Rick from the beginning of the book to the end.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "13 Little Blue Envelopes" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "13 Little Blue Envelopes"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in the book to discuss, and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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