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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 Nate say about what happens between him and his dad?

2. Why does Ruby decide to walk to Marshall's place?

3. What does Cora say she could have done when she left home?

4. What does Ruby discover when she touches Nate?

5. What is Cora fearful of as Thanksgiving approaches?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Nate ask Ruby when she returns his sweatshirt and how does she respond?

2. What does Nate tell Ruby about his mother's new life?

3. What does Ruby overhear when she goes to the Cross house for the pies?

4. What does Heather say she wished she had forced?

5. What does Ruby do with Jamie on Christmas Eve?

6. What happens when Ruby gets back to Cora and Jaime's house and is obviously impaired?

7. Who finds Ruby in the clearing and what does he do and say?

8. What is worrying Ruby as Valentine's day is approaching?

9. Why is Cora nervous about Thanksgiving and where does Ruby find Cora on the day?

10. How does Ruby impress Harriett at work?

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

Over the course of Lock and Key, Ruby grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Lock and Key might be considered a slice of Ruby's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that Lock and Key is a "bildungsroman" of Ruby. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Rubby as she changes from a more closed loner to an open and compassionate young woman. What are the significant events that change Ruby?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Ruby's growth throughout Lock and Key, do you think Lock and Key could be considered Ruby's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in Lock and Key who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Lock and Key. Questions that Dessen most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of Dessen's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Dessen's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Dessen and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

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