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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 DHS do as a result of the press conference?

2. Why does Marcus tell his mother about what happened to him?

3. Why is Marcus ashamed?

4. Why does Marcus smash the laptop that he uses to create the keys?

5. What does Marcus read to support the idea of the government being abolished?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Masha say in an email to Marcus?

2. Who helps Marcus when he has gotten away from Masha and does not know where to go that is safe?

3. Who is first to sign up for the key sign and what motto does she say to the crowd?

4. What does the note say that Jeb slips into Marcus' pocket?

5. How do the party goers respond at first and what does Marcus and Jolu tell them to convince them to join the keysigning?

6. What does Mrs. Galvez talk about in her class?

7. What instructions does Dr Eeevil give Marcus?

8. What do Marcus and Ange explain to Barbara and why can she related to what they say?

9. What do Marcus' parents decide to do after hearing what really happened to Marcus after the bombings?

10. Who takes over Mrs. Galvez's social studies class and what does she say about the Bill of Rights?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Marcus is trying to get help for his friend, Darryl, who has apparently been stabbed in the melee in the BART station. Instead of helping, however, the people who stop hold the teens at gunpoint, shackle them and place hoods over their heads so that they won't know where they are being taken.

In the days that follow, Marcus is tortured in a way so as to force him to make a confession. Again, Marcus shows his savvy and understanding of the American justice system by asking for what he has been arrested. He also asks to see his lawyer. The lady with whom he deals indicates to him that he has no right to ask for either of these things. The conditions under which Marcus is held are similar to those in a torture camp. He is not given food or drink, not allowed to shower, and is not given contact with any people other than his guards. When his hands are shackled behind his back so long that he urinates on himself, Marcus is made to feel dirty and bad because of his actions when he is taken back to the interrogation room. After he finally signs the papers ensuring him his freedom, Marcus indicates that after both his privacy and dignity were taken from him, he probably would have signed a confession to killing Abraham Lincoln.

1. Discuss where this type of abduction by authorities exist or have occurred in the past. (Research may be required). Use examples from your own life and "Little Brother" to support your reasoning.

2. Do you think the government should be allowed to abduct citizens and torture them without a trial or a lawyer? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and "Little Brother" to support your reasoning.

3. Do you think a situation like the one above could ever occur in this country at the present time? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and "Little Brother" to support your reasoning.

4. What do you think citizens need to do in a country to insure their government does not engage in the above type of actions? Use examples from your own life and "Little Brother" to support your reasoning.

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?

(see the answer keys)

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