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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. About what is the song Hector composes at the celebration?

2. With what is Hector occupied as of late?

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

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

5. How does Mrs. Bruning feel about going into assisted living?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

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

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

6. 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?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

This section contains 1,041 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample