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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. Why does Cora feel judged by Jaime's family?

2. What does Ruby want to tell Nate when it's almost Valentine's Day?

3. On what does Ruby say she is running low?

4. Where does Olivia work?

5. What does Peyton say when she talks to Ruby?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Ruby learn about her father?

4. What does Gervais want when he comes over to Ruby's house on Christmas?

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

6. What do Cora and Ruby talk about the next morning after Ruby's drunken episode?

7. What does Nate bring Ruby and what is his response to her questions?

8. What changes have been going on with Gervais?

9. How does Ruby impress Harriett at work?

10. What does Cora say in response learning she is still not pregnant, and how does this bring the sisters closer together?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

After Ruby discovers that Nate is being abused, she is more observant to the signs of abuse. Nate is determined to put on a brave outward face. Nate is nearly an adult and he's athletic. He could fight back but doesn't, and he is determined that no one know about the abuse. This is typical of an abusive relationship. Nate has a sweatshirt of his own with "U Swim" on it, apparently a sweatshirt from the University Swim Team. He tells Ruby the words are his motto and Ruby says she doesn't understand. Nate says the alternative is "U Sink."

1. Discuss, in details, how you think Nate's abuse has helped shape him to be the person he is. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

2. Discuss reasons you think Nate wants to keep his abuse a secret and what you would say to him if he were your friend. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

3. Discuss what you think Nate means, literally and symbolically with his sweatshirt. Use examples from Lock and Key and your own life to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Lock and Key belongs to the young teen novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young teen novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young teen novel and a historical novel mystery?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,295 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample