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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 disrupts the confrontation with the girl who took the picture?

2. Where are Marcus and his friends going when the skip school?

3. Where does Marcus find himself when he is taken out of the jeep and moved?

4. What is a DHS worker using to search for Xnet nodes?

5. Why would Jolu spend more time in prison than Marcus if they are caught?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Marcus and his friends learn from the newspaper?

2. How have Marcus' activities been monitored and how does he feel about that?

3. Who calls Marcus to the office, and what message does he receive on his way there?

4. How does Marcus anger the police on the way to his house and what does he do about it?

5. What happens as , Marcus and his three friends approach the BART station and what do they decide to do?

6. Why do the three try to flag down a police car and who ultimately stops and what do they do?

7. What does the woman with the severe haircut tell Marcus and what is his response?

8. What happens to anger Marcus' father and why does he apologize to Marcus?

9. Why is Marcus angry when he tells his father about the police's activities?

10. What suddenly happens as Marcus and his friends are talking with the girl who takes their picture?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Little Brother". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Little Brother". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of freedom in "Little Brother". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with freedom? Why? What are some symbols of freedom? Symbols of control? What characters seem free?

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Little Brother" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Little Brother". 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 Doctorow 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 Doctorow chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Doctorow's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Doctorow 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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