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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 is Olivia?

2. To what sound does Ruby awaken on Saturday morning?

3. Where does Ruby go after the convenience store?

4. What happened to Ruby's mother?

5. What is Ruby's first class?

Short Essay Questions

1. What discussion does Ruby have with Cora about the bus system?

2. How does Ruby come to get a job at the mall?

3. Describe Gervais.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Lock and Key is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

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

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Lock and Key. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Dessen chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Dessen chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Dessen's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Dessen use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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