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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. To what sound does Ruby awaken on Saturday morning?

2. What has Jaime bought for Roscoe?

3. What is one thing Ruby learns about Harriet as Harriet is training Ruby?

4. What does Ruby notice about Harriett as Ruby continues to work?

5. What does Jaime want Ruby to do?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. Describe Gervais.

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

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

9. What new ad campaign does Jaime dream up and what are Cora and Ruby's responses?

10. What does Ruby think about her mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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