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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 Holiday say is happening at a nearby refuge?

2. Who is one person or group who will benefit by Holiday's announcement?

3. What does Kylie realize when she sees her father in town?

4. What does the soldier say when he appears to Kylie while she is yelling?

5. What does Kylie "hear" as bombs and guns are going off?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Kylie and Della scare the wits out of Perry?

2. What does Kylie want to do for Della and what is Della's response?

3. Who does Della bring to Kylie's room and how did she find the person?

4. What does Kylie find out about her biological father?

5. Why does Daniel Brighten disappear, and how does he reassure Kylie?

6. How does Kylie explain why she doubts being supernatural?

7. Where does Kylie agree to go with Lucas?

8. What does Kylie look for when she sees her mother and what are Kylie's conclusions?

9. How does Kylie exasperate Holiday?

10. Who visits Lucas on parents' day and why does Kylie find it odd?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 "Born at Midnight" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Born at Midnight? Why or why not. Use examples from "Born at Midnight" and your own life to support your answer.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Born at Midnight" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

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 "Born at Midnight" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Born at Midnight" 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 3

Born at Midnight 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?

(see the answer keys)

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