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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. Who does Ruby talk with in literature class?

2. What does Cora point out about riding the city bus?

3. What color is the fish Ruby picks for the pond?

4. What has Roscoe done several times after Ruby's arrival?

5. What does Ruby think when Jaime picks her up at school one afternoon?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe Gervais.

3. Who does Ruby meet in her literature class, and what do the two have in common?

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

5. In what condition is the house that the Honeycutts own when they come by to check on the place and what do they do?

6. How does Ruby describe Olivia's behavior in literature class?

7. What has Olivia verified and how does she feel about it?

8. Where does Ruby go from the mall and what important piece of information does Marshall gain from the encounter?

9. What decision has Ruby made concerning living with Cora and Jaime, but how does she hedge her bets?

10. What does Ruby learn at the fish store and what fish does Ruby choose?

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 Lock and Key and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Lock and Key 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

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Lock and Key is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Lock and Key, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Lock and Key. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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