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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. With whom is Hector fascinated?

2. What is one thing Debbie and Patty wonder?

3. What track is Debbie on in school?

4. What tool is Debbie trying to master in Chapter Eight?

5. What belongs to Debbie's older sister that Debbie has?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Debbie learn from Lenny and how did that come about?

2. Why are Debbie and Patty hiding in the bushes?

3. What will Debbie, Phil and the others be studying at school?

4. What does Hector's first lesson involve and what disappoints him about that lesson?

5. What does Patty say about their question and what does Debbie think about it?

6. How does Debbie experience a response to physical contact with Hector?

7. How does Rowanne use Hector being with her with her friends?

8. What does Hector think about as he is putting up screens with his father, and what makes him think in that direction?

9. What experience does Debbie get with mechanical work?

10. Where is Debbie invited in Chapter Four and what does she do there and with whom does she do it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Criss Cross" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1, and then judge if "Criss Cross" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Criss Cross" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 2

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 "Criss Cross" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Debbie matures and grows throughout the book.

1. What do you think might be some of the reasons Debbie is maturing? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you think Debbie's maturity shown in the book is unrealistic in the short amount of time period the book covers? Why or why not?

3. Discuss the ways that Debbie shows changes in her maturity in the book.

(see the answer keys)

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