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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. Where is Harry's laboratory?

2. What does Susan tell Henry is happening that evening?

3. Who is Father Forthill?

4. Why is Charity angry at Harry?

5. With what does Harry arm himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who calls Harry after he has gone to bed and what does she want?

2. Who is Susan and what does Mortimer say about her?

3. Who does Harry encounter on the Erlanger and what do they order him to do?

4. What do Ebenezar McCoy and Harry talk about on the phone?

5. About what is Susan there to warn Harry?

6. What does Susan ask Harry and what is his reply?

7. What is a suppression spell and why does Harry have to cast it?

8. What does Father Vincent want of Harry?

9. Where and with whom does Harry appear in Chapter 1?

10. What does Harry learn about the corpse while at the morgue?

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 oftentimes the other way. 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 Death Masks is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes Death Masks interesting. Discuss the following:

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

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Susan. 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.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Ortega. 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

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Death Masks and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Death Masks is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,083 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample