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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 National Public Radio run the next morning after Marcus opens part of the Xnet?

2. Why do two boys who are jamming help Marcus?

3. What happens when Marcus starts to leave Ange's house?

4. What picture does Masha show Marcus?

5. What does Marcus learn from Jeb?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens as a result of the press conference?

3. How does Marcus respond to Mrs. Anderson's opinion on the Bill of Rights and what happens to him?

4. What happens to break up the concert?

5. What are some other countries' response to the news coverage surrounding the terrorists situation, and what do Marcus' parents think about this?

6. How is Marcus rescued by the California Highway Patrol?

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

8. What instructions does Dr Eeevil give Marcus?

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

10. Who catches Marcus before the real gas falls and how does she save him from Charles?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Marcus and Charles. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Angie and Vanessa. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Little Brother" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Little Brother belongs to the political science fiction genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the political science fiction genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a political science fiction and a historical novel mystery?

(see the answer keys)

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