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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 Marcus' father explain about his business?

2. What has happened to Darryl?

3. What does Vanessa suggest?

4. Why does Darryl not want to skip school?

5. What do the friends decide to do because of the situation at the BART station?

Short Essay Questions

1. About what does Marcus worry when he starts up his Xbox that evening and what does he decide to do about it?

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

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

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

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

6. Why is Marcus confused about his father's attitude and what does Marcus' mother explain to him about it?

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

8. Who are there to greet Marcus when he is released and what do they do?

9. Who did the captors treat most harshly, and why?

10. Describe the confrontation between Marcus and Benson.

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

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

3. Choose one specific incident in "Little Brother" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

Over the course of "Little Brother", Marcus grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Little Brother" might be considered a slice of Marcus's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that the story is a "bildungsroman" of Marcus Yallow. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Marcus as he changes from a more carefree, innocent boy to a wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Marcus?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Rick's growth throughout "Little Brother", do you think "Little Brother" could be considered Marcus's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in this story who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

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