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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. Where do Simon and Clary go for dinner?

2. Who does Jace land on when he jumps the fence?

3. What does Clary's mother do when she gets home that night?

4. Where does Clary see two boys going, one of whom has a knife?

5. What do Blackwell and Panghorn ask?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What discussion do Dorothea and Jace have about witches?

3. How do Jace and Clary leave Dorothea's apartment and where do they go?

4. What does the bouncer ask the blue-haired boy and what does the bouncer decide?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Cassandra Clare.

2. What in Clare's background may have helped her in writing "City of Bones"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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