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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 Eliza do when she goes into labor with Isobel?

2. Where does Charlotte serve the children lunch?

3. What does Isobel do when she hears a voice?

4. What does Charles collect?

5. What do Charles and Isobel find when they go into the woods to look for their parents?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Isobel write about both her and her brother's physical looks?

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

3. How does Isobel come to find a single, unusual shoe in Vinny's closet and what is Vinny's reaction?

4. What does Francis Fairfax give his new wife and what happens to the present?

5. Describe how Charles and Isobel are born.

6. What happens when Charles is eight years old?

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

8. Where does Malcolm take Isobel, and what happens there?

9. What does Isobel observe on a visit to the Baxters in autumn?

10. What business does Charlotte run and what are her long term intentions?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Human Croquet" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if this is a successful novel.

3. Is "Human Croquet" a novel you would recommend to a friend? Why or why not? Explain.

4. Can a novel be successful and yet many readers not enjoy it? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

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 "Human Croquet" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Human Croquet"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in the book to discuss and compare Isobel's response to that of two other characters, and to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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