View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is beside Clary when she wakens?

2. Who does Simon bring to Clary's assistance?

3. Where is Clary's mother?

4. What does Clary do in response to her mother?

5. What does Clary encounter as she is searching for her mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who does Clary notice following the girl and the blue-haired boy and what is disturbing about one of the boys?

2. What does Clary find when she goes inside her apartment?

3. What happens when Clary gets home from the club and how does she respond?

4. What do the three young people find in Luke's apartment and what does that tell them?

5. What does Clary's mom want her to do and how does she respond?

6. How does Jace react to Madame Dorothea and how does Clary defend her?

7. What happens when Simon gets to the room with the bouncer?

8. Where do Clary and Simon go and who do they see in line in front of them?

9. How does Clary get out of the apartment and who are the police who arrive?

10. What do Clary and Jace tell Hodge and how does he react to the mention of Valentine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Whenever reading a science fiction or fantasy novel, one must become familiar with new terminology that explains concepts or technology that is not a part of the "real" world. In the case of "City of Bones", there is a great deal of new magical terms and familiar words with new meanings. Discuss the following:

1. Find five terms that are a part of the world of "City of Bones" that are a part of the language but mean something different. Define the words as used in "City of Bones" and compare those five words as to how they are currently used in the American English language.

2. How does the language of "City of Bones" from that of real world New York? Are there words you did not know in the book? What? How do you learn their meanings? What does it mean to grasp a the meaning of a word through its context? Can you do that in "City of Bones"? Give an example of several words whose definition are made clear through the context of how the word is used.

3. There are ways of learning about a new world or time when reading a science fiction or fantasy novel. Discuss the ways you were able to understand the world of "City of Bones" through its vocabulary. Did you have to look up any words?

4. Were there any words you never really understood from "City of Bones"? Which ones? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Jace is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in "City of Bones" and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Harry who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and sometimes it is the other way around. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "City of Bones" is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,081 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample