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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. Who is Fluffy?

2. What name do the oddly-dressed people in Chapter 1 mention that almost panics Mr. Dursley?

3. Who is Oliver Wood?

4. Who are the Dursleys?

5. In Chapter 3, when is Harry's next birthday?

Short Essay Questions

1. About what are Ron, Hermione, and Harry convinced concerning Snape in Chapter 11?

2. How is Harry's initial experience in potions class?

3. Harry receives a package during lunch a week after his first broom ride; what is inside?

4. What is the process of "sorting" at Hogwarts?

5. What does Hagrid tell Harry in Chapter 4 that stuns Harry?

6. Why do Ron and Harry have a stilted conversation initially on the train?

7. Where is the porthole Harry and Hagrid use in Chapter 5, and what happens when they go into the pub?

8. What is odd about the wand Harry ends up buying at Ollivander's Wand Shop?

9. What begins happening at the Dursley's home in Chapter 1, and how does Mr. Dursley handle it?

10. What does Malfoy do after Harry demands Malfoy hand over the "Remember all"?

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.

Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not? Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Identify the protagonists of the story and why you believe they are such. Identify the antagonists of the story and why you believe they are such. Which three secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot? Which, if any, characters are not essential to the story? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Are these universal symbols that would have the same meaning in any culture? What other symbols could portray the same idea? Why do you think Rowling chooses the symbols she does? Consider symbols such as Harry’s wand, the killing of the unicorn, Norbert, and the three-headed dog.

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