View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Marcus' father feel about the budget raise for the DHS?

2. What does Vanessa say would cause a traffic gridlock?

3. What does Marcus' father explain about his business?

4. How long do the friends figure they are held?

5. Of what is Jolu tired?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jolu help Marcus solve his Xnet problem?

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

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

4. How is Marcus released?

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

6. What do each of the three friends think need to be done about what they endured?

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

8. What are some kids caught doing and what happens to them?

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

10. Describe the confrontation between Marcus' mother and the police.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Little Brother and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Little Brother is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which three secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Little Brother". Questions that Doctorow 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 the Doctorow' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Doctorow' 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 Doctorow and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 998 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample