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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 makes Ellie happy when she observes Jennifer and Will?

2. Where is Geoff when the story opens?

3. Who is Nancy?

4. What does Mr. Morton order Ellie to do?

5. Whom does Ellie notice arguing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Summarize what Ellie says about the Arthurian legend.

2. What does Jennifer want when Ellie talks to her at Ellie's locker?

3. Why are Ellie and her parents in Annapolis for a year?

4. Who does Ellie see on the trail with the man she saw in the ravine?

5. What happens during the football game with Will, Lance, and one of the other team members?

6. How does Ellie find Lance and Jennifer together right before Ellie is leaving the party?

7. What does Marco do that seems to be a deliberate attempt to upset Will?

8. How does Ellie feel at her first day at school?

9. What do Will and Ellie talk about on the widow's walk?

10. What does Marco do that confuses Ellie?

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 Avalon High and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Avalon High 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

Avalon High belongs to the fantasy genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fantasy genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a fantasy and a historical novel or mystery?

Essay Topic 3

Avalon High is one book in a series of novels involving Ellie and Will and many of the other characters.

1. What are two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What are two disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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