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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. How many are estimated to be at the concert?

2. What do Marcus and Ange do the evening after the interview?

3. Besides students, who uses the Xnet?

4. Why is Marcus ashamed?

5. Why does Marcus leave Ange's house angry?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What instructions does Dr Eeevil give Marcus?

3. How are the Xnetters portrayed the day after the "press" conference?

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

5. What does Ange say when Marcus tells her about the information he receives from Marsha?

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

7. What happens to break up the concert?

8. Why are Ange and Marcus upset and what do they decide to do about it?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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