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. What does Jace say the pact with the religions of the world is?

2. What does Clary think she may know?

3. Why does Raphael disappear once inside the vampire lair?

4. Why is Valentine particularly hurt by the person who chooses to leave the circle first?

5. Why does Clary need to go to the Silent City?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jace throw a knife at Raphael, and what do Jace and Clary notice in the stairwell?

2. What does Hodge explain about the Circle?

3. What happens to Clary when she goes before the Silent Council?

4. Why does Clary think Jocelyn put the Mortal Cup in the tarot deck?

5. Why are Hodge and the Lightwoods punished and what are their punishments?

6. What does Clary ask of Simon and how does she pressure him to agree to her request?

7. What happens when Jace lets go of Raphael and who comes to Jace and Clary's rescue?

8. What does Brother Jeremiah learn when he examines Clary and what does he suggest?

9. Where does Jace get weapons to fight the vampires and what is the relationship between the shadowhunters and various world religions?

10. What does Magnus Bane explain about the mental block in Clary's mind?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

"City of Bones" 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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,283 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample