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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 Clary tell Simon to do?

2. What does Jace say is a great honor for Simon?

3. What does Clary notice about the blue-haired boy?

4. What does Clary say about Valentine?

5. What does the bouncer ask the boy with the blue hair?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Clary's neighbor say about noises?

2. What do Jace and Clary want to do upon arriving at Luke's place and who else do they find there?

3. What does Hodge explain to Clary about the Mortal Cup and Valentine?

4. Who are the Forsaken?

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

6. What does Clary do when she sees the situation with the girl and the three boys?

7. Who do both Clary and the blue-haired boy notice and where does the person go?

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

9. Why is Simon at Luke's house and what has he seen?

10. Why does Clary run home frantically?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in "City of Bones"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in "City of Bones" including why you believe it is foreshadowing. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from the text to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

"City of Bones" is one book in a series of novels involving Clary, Jace, Simon and their families and friends. Discuss the following.

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

2. What are some 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, more difficult, or about the same to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "City of Bones". 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 Clare 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 Clare chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Clare'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 Clare 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.)

(see the answer keys)

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