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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 about Olivia?

2. About what is Ruby worried one day during a party at their house?

3. What does Peyton say she tried to tell Ruby the night Peyton was at Cora's house?

4. Why did Nate leave a root beer bottle cap on the counter in one place?

5. Where does Olivia work?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ruby impress Harriett at work?

2. What is Ruby's December like?

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

4. What does Ruby do in the clearing after Olivia drops her there?

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

6. What does Ruby learn about her father?

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

8. What changes have been going on with Gervais?

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

10. Where does Ruby visit Olivia and why is Olivia there?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes Lock and Key interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Ruby. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Nate. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Cora. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

4. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Olivia. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

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

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)

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