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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 Scooter make Elisa do?

2. What does Grant tell the doctor about Tom's face?

3. What does Mike's house look like inside?

4. What is the name of Tom's twin?

5. What is the name of Dru's oldest sister?

Short Essay Questions

1. How many stitches does Tom receive, what does Grant tell the doctor and why did Grant lie to the doctor? How does Diane react to Tom's jump?

2. What does Claire ask Dru about Diane?

3. What does MIke tell Dru about Diane, Tom and Hopi?

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

5. Where does everyone go from the celebration and what does Dru promise Elisa?

6. Why does Dru get angry with her mother, what does she say and how does her mother respond?

7. What will Mrs. Moriarty be doing in the fall, and how do the two families feel about the California University system? How does Dru's dad feel about his children and college?

8. What does Mike say to Elisa about his feelings towards her?

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

10. What happens when and right after the twins jump?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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".

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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