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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 does the narrator make out of plasticine?

2. In her dream, what does Susan notice about the White Witch?

3. What disguise does Harlequin take in order to speak to Missy?

4. What does the narrator notice is wrong with Eddie's hand?

5. In 'Harlequin Valentine' what does Harlequin pin on Missy's front door?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are the machines interested in the narrator?

2. Do the machines feel emotion?

3. Is the professor the same person as Susan from the Narnia books?

4. Why do you think Eddie Barrow lets himself be eaten in 'Feeders and Eaters'? Does he have a choice?

5. Do you think Miss Corvier is supernatural or a normal but disturbed human?

6. In 'My Life' is the poet telling the truth about anything he says?

7. What makes it clear that the author of 'Disease Maker's Croup' is suffering from the disease himself?

8. What different kinds of vampires are there in 'Fifteen Painted Cards from a Vampire Tarot'?

9. Describe how the disease progresses in Disease Maker's Croup.

10. Why does Becky break up with the narrator?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In some of the stories and poems in this collection, the author plays with characters and stories that belong to other authors and other books. Discuss one or two of these, and explain what he has changed and what he has left the same. Has he included any surprises or twists? Is the story or poem effective, or does it seem to have deviated too much from the feel of the original? What is the author trying to achieve with these stories? Stories and poems you could choose to discuss include 'A Study in Emerald,' 'Harlequin Valentine,' 'The Problem of Susan,' 'Goliath' and 'Inventing Aladdin.'

Essay Topic 2

Discuss greed in these stories and poems. Who is greedy and why? How is greed represented and what happens to the people who are greedy? You should discuss the stories 'Sunbird' and 'Keepsakes and Treasures' in your answer, but you can bring in any other stories or poems of your choice as well.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of evil and monsters in the poems and stories in this collection. Pay particular attention to the stories 'Keepsakes and Treasures,' 'How Do You Think it Feels?' and 'The Monarch of the Glen." Also, bring in any other stories and poems you like as well. What does the author have to say about evil and human nature? Do you agree with him?

(see the answer keys)

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