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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 was on the handle of Peter's suitcase?

2. For what will the person in question #92 use what fell out of Russell's pocket?

3. What has Hector decided to do to enhance his image as a musician?

4. What has Hector forgotten?

5. What does Mrs. Bruning see about Peter and Debbie?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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. Who is at the Tastee Freez when the guitar lesson group arrives there and how does Hector feel about the class going to the Tastee Freez?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Criss Cross".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Criss Cross". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Criss Cross". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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