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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 is the hospital relation to Mrs. Bruning's house?

2. What causes problems for the teens who are ready to listen to "Criss Cross" in Chapter 21?

3. What did Peter see that he thought was strange outside his bedroom window upon waking at his grandmother's house?

4. What festival is coming up in the teens' hometown?

5. What does Hector's mother make for which some people might want the recipe?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Peter call his grandmother and why is he at her house?

2. What are the other teens doing while Debbie is dealing with the crisis with Mrs. Bruning?

3. What is Lenny doing in Chapter 22 while Debbie is in the backyard reading and what saddens him when he goes into his house and comes back out?

4. What do Peter and Debbie decide to do after Mrs. Bruning is taken to the hospital?

5. What does Hector do while waiting for the fireworks?

6. What happens when Debbie comes to Mrs. Bruning's house on Saturday immediately after Mrs. Bruning awakens?

7. What book is Debbie reading in Chapter 22 and what does she think about the book and her life compared to the life of the protagonist in the book?

8. What is Hector thinking when he walks the sidewalk after a light rain?

9. How does Debbie's necklace end up in a tar patch after Dan picked it up?

10. How do both Hector's and Mrs. Bruning's hairstyles change in Chapter 20?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Criss Cross". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Perkins chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Perkins chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Perkins's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Perkins use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in "Criss Cross"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in Criss Cross including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "Criss Cross" and your own live to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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