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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 birthday is Isobel celebrating when this section opens?

2. Why does Isobel go to the Baxter's house?

3. What does Isobel say about her size?

4. Where does Gordon meet Eliza?

5. What does Isobel see when she experiences a time warp in this section?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Isobel think she sees Mr. Rice doing and what is the outcome?

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

5. What do the neighbors think of the new baby in the Fairfax household?

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

7. How does Debbie explain the raw meat on the table one morning?

8. How does Vinny treat the children?

9. Give a very brief synopsis of the Fairfax family's status over time.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Human Croquet".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Human Croquet". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Human Croquet". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

Often titles reveal much about one or more aspects of a novel. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think is the purpose of a title? How closely related to a major theme(s) of a book do you think a title should be? Or should it be?

2. The phrase "Human Croquet" appears several times in the book. Discuss that theme and how it is related to the title.

3. If you were the writer of "Human Croquet" and your editor says the title must be changed, what would you choose? Why?

4. How do you feel when you have finished reading a book, and you still do not understand the meaning of the title in relation to the book?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast Isobel's and Charles' reaction to the disappearance of their mother. How do you think you would have reacted in a similar situation? Explain.

2. Discuss how you would have handled things were you in Isobel at Hilary's party. Do you think she handles the party better or worse than (or about the same) as you? Would you have confided in your someone about the party? Why or why not?

3. Do you think Isobel and Charles should have been taken to a therapist? Why? What do you think the therapists would have said to each of them?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 962 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample