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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 Mike try to do with Dru in the car?

2. To what college will Mike be going?

3. What does Diane watch Mike do?

4. What does Tom think Elisa will do for Scooter?

5. What does Dru ask Elisa?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Jeremy know about the girl who was injured jumping, and what happens with his talk with Scooter the night before the jump?

2. What does Mike say about Scooter jumping?

3. Whose house does Dru pass and what does she think when she passes it?

4. What happens when Dru shows Elisa the mangled boot?

5. Where do Dru and Mike go at the beginning of Chapter Two, what is it like there, who else is there, and what does Dru hope?

6. What is the Nail and who has been hurt on it?

7. How is Elisa awoken after Dru had put her to bed and what does she do about Scooter's invitation? How does Dru react?

8. What does Dru ask Elisa about concerning her secret and what is Elisa's response?

9. Who does Dru run into while walking her dog and what does the person ask her and say to her?

10. Who drives Dru and MIke back to Mike's car and what is Diane like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jumping the Nail falls in the genre called youth. Discuss the following:

1. What is the definition of genre? Youth genre? How do you know "Jumping the Nail" falls in the genre of youth novel? Give examples.

2. Other than entertainment, why do you think people might read youth novel?

3. Fantasy is sometimes considered second-rate fiction--i.e. that it is not good enough to be studied in academe. Why do you think this is true? Do you think it is a valid argument?

Essay Topic 2

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 "Jumping the Nail", 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 in "Jumping the Nail". (The subplots 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 3

Discuss the following:

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

2. Analyze and discuss "Jumping the Nail" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1, and judge if "Jumping the Nail" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Jumping the Nail" a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

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