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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 is one of the ingredients of Hector's mother's recipe?

2. How does Hector think of the people who step on the worms on the sidewalk?

3. What does Debbie's mother tell a friend about Debbie's upcoming summer activities?

4. Who has a locker next to Debbie?

5. What do Peter and Debbie decide to do?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

6. 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?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Criss Cross" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Criss Cross"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Criss Cross" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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