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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 Dennis say his teacher accidentally did when Dennis was in kindergarten?

2. What champion was Dennis' friend at O'Dowd High School's Anime Club?

3. What is Hades?

4. What does Dennis envision as the waiter takes the family's orders when they are eating out?

5. How often is Dennis supposed to call his ma?

Short Essay Questions

1. What occupies Dennis' mind while they are in the restaurant?

2. How does Dennis let his parents know what he wants for Christmas?

3. Why do the angels go to Dr. Rodriguez's home, and who does Dr. Rodriguez think the angels are?

4. What is the result of Dennis' seeing his father's face everywhere?

5. What does Dennis learn from classmates that excites him and why is he excited?

6. How does Dennis Ouyang react to the first video game he sees?

7. What does Dennis begin doing with his time?

8. What does Dennis think about concerning how his downfall at the university begins?

9. Who are these beings that appear to Dennis and what do they want?

10. Why can't Dennis play the video game at the convenience store?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dennis Ouyang struggled between two cultures. As an Asian American, his father believed in a strong, almost punishing work ethic and eating "bitterness," to build character. By this phrase, his father meant that his children will grow to adulthood possessing a good character and work ethic if they are not spoiled as children. But Dennis was in America and most of his classmates were not Asian.

1. Do you think a strong work ethic builds character? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think Mr. Ouyang was too hard on Dennis? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think the way that Mr. Ouyang was raising Dennis was not typical of other, non-Asian Americans? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. 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 it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Level Up is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Level Up". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Yang chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Yang chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Yang's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliff hangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Yang use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme)

(see the answer keys)

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