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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 Vinny make no effort to conceal?

2. What does Francis Fairfax give his wife when he marries?

3. What happens to Isobel's mother?

4. Of what does Isobel have no memory?

5. What does Gordon give Eliza for Christmas one year?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the circumstances surrounding Charlotte's death?

2. What does Isobel say are Charles' hobbies, and how does he relate one of his hobbies to his mother?

3. What leads to Isobel's house being infested with fleas?

4. What gets Debbie's party off to a bad start?

5. How is Mr. Rice presented in a less-than-favorable narrative?

6. What does Isobel "see" in the time wrap she experiences in this chapter?

7. What happens when Charles is eight years old?

8. How do Charlotte and Vinny treat Eliza and what is her response?

9. Describe the interaction between Gordon and his two young children after Gordon returns from the woods.

10. What does Isobel find at the back door when she and Isobel are home alone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation whereby Hilary and Isobel eventually become good friends. Discuss two other incidences of irony in "Human Croquet".

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use of and meaning of five symbols found in "Human Croquet".

3. Discuss the use of foreshadowing in literature. What is the purpose of foreshadowing? Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how it is used to indicate events to come in "Human Croquet".

Essay Topic 2

Melinda is sixteen when the novel opens. Discuss the following:

1. What are some ways that Melinda seems like an average sixteen year old? Give examples and why you say the activities are average teen activities.

2. What are some ways that Isobel seems older than her age of 16? Give specific examples and discuss whether they seem consistent with the character of Isobel as she is developed throughout the book.

3. Is it realistic to think Isobel could handle the situations that arise in the novel alone? Where do you think Isobel could have turned to for help?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Human Croquet", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not? Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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