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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 Dru promise Elisa?

2. What does Dru whisper to her dog?

3. What do Dru and her mother do when they finish talking?

4. What does Dru tell Mike when he calls?

5. Where is Dru's oldest sister?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Dru and Mike go for a walk and why does this upset Elisa?

2. What does Mike ask Dru out on the terrace, and what is her response?

3. What does Dru remember about the first night Mike noticed her?

4. What does Dru's mother say to Dru after they get home from dinner at Mike's house?

5. What does Diane do when a slow song comes on and why does the music stop?

6. How does Mike feel about the invitation to Dru's family and what does he say about telling an adult about the jumping?

7. Where has Dru and her family been invited, how does her mother react to the invitation and how does Dru feel about it?

8. What does Dru say to Elisa about Scooter and what does she realize about Diane when she says it?

9. What does Mike and Dru talk about concerning Tom's stitches and jumping?

10. Who do Mike and Dru see on the beach, what does Mike do about it, and how does Dru connect her and Elisa?

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

3. Choose one specific incident in Jumping the Nail to discuss and compare one of the character's response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Jumping the Nail". Questions that Bunting most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of Bunting's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Bunting's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Bunting and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

Trace and analyze the theme of teenagers feeling invisible throughout "Jumping the Nail".

Trace and analyze the theme of peer pressure throughout "Jumping the Nail".

Trace and analyze the theme of control and power in a relationship throughout "Jumping the Nail".

(see the answer keys)

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