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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. Why is a member of the other team taken off on a stretcher?

2. Who does Ellie think is nice?

3. What does Ellie's mother quote at dinner?

4. Where does Will's father work now?

5. How long has Ellie known Liz?

Short Essay Questions

1. What poem is initially assigned to Ellie in class? How does she get a different one?

2. Summarize what Ellie says about the Arthurian legend.

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

4. What happens as the teens prepare to go sailing?

5. How does Ellie relate Jennifer, Marco, Will, and Lance to the Arthurian legend?

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

7. How does Will interact with Ellie's parents?

8. What do Ellie and Will write to each other in emails when Ellie gets home from track tryouts?

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

10. Why is Will being pressured by his father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes Avalon High interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Will. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Ellie. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Marco. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

4. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Jennifer. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

5. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Mr. Morton. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Avalon High. Questions that Cabot most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Cabot's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Cabot's probable agenda concerning that idea.

3. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

4. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

5. Research the life of Cabot and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

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 Avalon High help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Avalon High? Why or why not.

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

(see the answer keys)

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