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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 does Debbie's great aunt say Debbie's cousin's job is?

2. What does Mrs. Bruning ask Debbie to do?

3. Where has Debbie moved her bedroom?

4. What type of music does Hector's song resemble?

5. What was the main course of the dinner Peter's grandmother made for him and his parents?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Debbie hear her mother telling a friend about Debbie's upcoming summer?

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

4. Why are Phil, Debbie, Lenny and Hector sitting on a curb, what are they doing and what are they talking about?

5. What has Debbie convinced her mother of, and what does she find in her mother's mementos box?

6. What is Mrs. Bruning's response about Debbie, and what does Mrs. Bruning give Debbie?

7. What is Peter's father's response to Mrs. Bruning's objections? How are his objections handled?

8. What subject does Peter's father approach with Mrs. Bruning and what is her response?

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

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

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 "Criss Cross", 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 "Criss Cross". (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

Characters are an important part of what makes "Criss Cross" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Debbie. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Hector. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Dan Persik. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast two main characters of "Criss Cross". How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Debbie and another female character. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Criss Cross" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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