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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 do the two boys call the blue-haired boy?

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

3. Who do the Forsaken obey?

4. Who are the Forsaken?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Clary encounter when she is searching for her mother and what does she do?

4. Why does Clary run home frantically?

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

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

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

8. Where and when does Clary waken and who is with her?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "City of Bones", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement.) Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "City of Bones". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

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 "City of Bones" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why this book 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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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