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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 has Lenny started doing that disgusts Debbie?

2. What animal do both Debbie and Hector think about in relation to life and others?

3. What would Hector like to change about himself?

4. What influence on one's life does Debbie discuss?

5. What does Hector vow?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why was Lenny's childhood not indicative of the path he appears to be taking?

3. How does Debbie get sunburned, and who was she with when it happens?

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

5. Where is Lenny being steered in school, how does he manifest this in his life outside of school and what habit does he pick up?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 "Criss Cross" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Criss Cross" 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 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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