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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 Ruby discover Nate did?

2. What does Nate say is obvious about Gervais?

3. What is Ruby's first class?

4. When does Ruby encounter Nate Cross?

5. What has Ruby given up on about two weeks after she's been at Perkins Day?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ruby think about her mother?

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

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

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

5. What discussion do Jaime and Mr. Thackray have when Jaime brings Ruby to enroll in school?

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

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

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

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

10. Describe Gervais.

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 Ruby and Cora. 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 Nate and Marshall. 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 Lock and Key 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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in Lock and Key. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of family in Lock and Key. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to have problems in their families? What kind of problems?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of addiction in Lock and Key. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to have problems because of addiction in others? What kind of problems?

Essay Topic 3

Harriett explains that in her family, someone is always mad at someone else and so the two are not speaking. However, later there will be some different argument so the two have to make up in order to band against someone else. Harriett seems to believe this is typical of families and Reggie says this explains a great deal about Harriett. His own thoughts about families are very different. He talks about shared history and beginnings. As they laugh at each other's thoughts, they both realize they are considered the black sheep of their respective families. Ruby will later come to discover that shared traits and situations are important to families and friendships.

1. Discuss Harriett's character explaining how the way her family interacts might have helped form the person she is as an adult. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

2. Discuss Reggie's character explaining how the way his family interacts might have helped form the person he is as an adult. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

3. Discuss, in detail, what issues you think Harriett and Reggie might have to deal with given their backgrounds and views on family if they were to ever get married. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

(see the answer keys)

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