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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 does the FBI fund the camp which Kylie is attending?

2. What does Kylie call her mother?

3. What does Miranda say she's been eating for years?

4. Who is by Kylie when she wakes?

5. For what does the solider seem to be asking?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Kylie see outside her house and what is her response?

2. What does Derek say to Kylie about her and Lucas?

3. What does Kylie ask Helen to do and what is the result?

4. What do Miranda and Della threaten to do to each other?

5. What does Chan want Della to do, and how does he feel about Della being at the camp?

6. How does Della become a vampire?

7. What does Kylie's father ask her mother for and what has happened to the objects?

8. What is Kylie's family situation at the opening to the novel?

9. How does the party end and where does Kylie go from the party?

10. What happens in Kylie's interview with the FRU men?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kylie continues to grasp at straws to explain alternatives to her supernatural powers. Holiday says one or the other of Kylie's parents is probably supernatural in order for Kylie to have the power, but says that in rare situations the power might skip an entire generation. Kylie doesn't believe any of her grandparents had any supernatural powers either, but she admits she can't be sure. Another possibility is that she has either a brain tumor or is simply "loony." It's a statement of how desperately Kylie wants to be normal that she's hoping she is either crazy or has a brain tumor in order to explain her power.

1. Discuss reasons someone like Kylie might try to deny she has supernatural powers. Use examples from your own life and "Born at Midnight" to support your answer.

2. Define the psychological defense mechanism known as denial and explain why it might be harmful and helpful to Kylie. Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. Discuss the foreshadowing in the above paragraph. Explain why it might invoke suspense and how it might enhance the readers' enjoyment of "Born at Midnight". Use examples from your own life and "Born at Midnight" to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Born at Midnight". 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 Hunter 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 Hunter chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Hunter'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 Hunter 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

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Kylie and Miranda. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Derek and Lucas. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Born at Midnight" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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