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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 Cora promise Ruby when Cora leaves home?

2. What does Ruby say she intends to refuse?

3. Who does Ruby first call at a convenience store after class?

4. What is Jamie Hunter showing Ruby?

5. Where does Ruby find Roscoe when she hears him barking?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Nate takes Ruby back to her former home?

2. What is Jaime showing Ruby at the opening to the novel and who else is there?

3. What does Ruby want to do with the money Cora gives her for clothes, and what does she ultimately do?

4. Who is Marshall and what kind of relationship do Ruby and Marshall have?

5. What does Ruby say about Gervais at the beginning of this chapter?

6. What does Ruby notice about Nate and Heather and what advice does she offer Nate, and what does he do?

7. What does Ruby say about her life before Cora picked her up earlier that day?

8. How is Ruby stopped the first night from running away?

9. What does Nate do for his father on a regular basis?

10. Describe the conversation between Cora and Ruby about Cora's wedding.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes Lock and Key interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Ruby. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Nate. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Cora. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

4. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Olivia. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

One day Ruby is with Olivia as she shouts for her friend Laney to "pick up the pace." Olivia says Laney has taken on a project she can't possibly complete and that she should have begun with a lighter running program before training for a race. One day Ruby and Olivia are talking about friendships. Olivia says no two people are going to see things the same meaning if you find someone to share a couple of things with, you should hold onto them as friends. Ruby is struck by Olivia's friendship to Laney. When Laney is the last one making an appearance to finish the race, Olivia is the only one still at the finish line. She's cheering Laney on and Ruby realizes that Laney didn't need the crowd remaining to cheer for her. Instead, she just needed Olivia.

1. Discuss the ways in which you think Olivia demonstrates she knows how to be a good friend, both to Ruby and Laney and even Gervais. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

2. Olivia says no two people are going to see things with the same meaning if you find someone to share a couple of things with, you should hold onto them as friends. Discuss, in detail, what you think Olivia means by this statement. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

3. Discuss Ruby's life and why that life might have made her be so touched by Olivia's demonstration of friendship. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

After Ruby discovers that Nate is being abused, she is more observant to the signs of abuse. Nate is determined to put on a brave outward face. Nate is nearly an adult and he's athletic. He could fight back but doesn't, and he is determined that no one know about the abuse. This is typical of an abusive relationship. Nate has a sweatshirt of his own with "U Swim" on it, apparently a sweatshirt from the University Swim Team. He tells Ruby the words are his motto and Ruby says she doesn't understand. Nate says the alternative is "U Sink."

1. Discuss, in details, how you think Nate's abuse has helped shape him to be the person he is. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

2. Discuss reasons you think Nate wants to keep his abuse a secret and what you would say to him if he were your friend. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

3. Discuss what you think Nate means, literally and symbolically with his sweatshirt. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

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