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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 are Debbie and Patty doing as they look at the yearbook?

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

3. What does Hector think when he sees the smashed worms?

4. What has brought the worms out on the sidewalk?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Hector find Meadow, and why is he embarrassed?

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

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

4. How is Mrs. Bruning when she comes home from the hospital and to what does she agree with Peter's parents?

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

6. With what is Lenny helping his father in Chapter 16, and what is Debbie doing when she overhears them?

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

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

9. How do Debbie and Peter handle the emergency with Mrs. Bruning?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Criss Cross" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Lenny, who probably has one of the most inquisitive minds and who has obviously absorbed much from voracious reading, will not pursue college. He is tracked toward a technical career, because he happens to be skilled using his hands. The others, less agile, have been tracked toward college. Specific interests, such as Hector's unfolding musical talent will perhaps point him in a path far different from his friends. Debbie and Patty demonstrate great insights, as they discuss the impact of one's environment on what he or she ultimately becomes and the growth or decline that may accompany adversity.

1. Do you think Lenny's treatment by the school is a good use of his mind? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Is it realistic for a teenager to believe a special talent such as musical or athletic will enable him or her to earn a living as an adult given the few numbers of musicians who make it big or number of athletes who make it to the pros? Explain your reasoning. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Discuss your opinion on Debbie's conclusion that environment will greatly shape her life. Do you believe this is true for her? Do you believe this is true for all people? Why or why not?

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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