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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. Where does Isobel think she has been transported one day on her way home from school?

2. Where is Charles born?

3. For what do the Baxters make excuses?

4. What does Charles collect?

5. What does Mr. Baxter retire?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Who is Francis Fairfax, and what does the narrator write about him?

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

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

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

7. How does Vinny treat the children?

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

9. What happens when Charles is eight years old?

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

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. 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.

Essay Topic 2

Plots are sometimes said to be either character-driven or action-driven. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think "Human Croquet" is more character-driven or action-driven? Or balanced between the two? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

"Human Croquet" ends on a somewhat positive note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are at least three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Human Croquet" and if it fulfills some or all of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Human Croquet" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

4. Would you have wished the ending to be different? Why or why not? Would that have changed what the author wished to convey with the book?

(see the answer keys)

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