View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Jaime work?

2. What does Ruby say about Gervais?

3. What excuse do the Honeycutts use to check out Ruby's home?

4. When does Ruby encounter Nate Cross?

5. Why is Olivia at Perkins?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Ruby think about her mother?

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

4. What has Jaime bought for himself, Ruby, Cora and Roscoe and how do Ruby and Cora react?

5. What conversation does Ruby overhear in Cora's room as she comes home to a party?

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

7. What does Jaime want Ruby to do when he picks her up at school one afternoon and what is her response?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Lock and Key help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Lock and Key? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Lock and Key to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Sarah Dessen.

2. What in Dessen's background may have helped her in writing Lock and Key? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,277 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample