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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. How does James hope to stop the pranks?

2. What does Jared offer the house brownie?

3. How does Jared feel?

4. What are the paths at the asylum?

5. What does the Aunt order the children to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lucinda say when Simon asks if Arthur is her father?

2. What is Jared doing with his clothes and why is he doing it?

3. What does Jared check his backpack for and how does he feel after he checks it?

4. What kind of pranks is Thimbletack playing and who was blamed for the last prank by Jared's mother?

5. What happens when the children give their aunt the cookies they brought?

6. Who is taking the children to see Lucinda and what does Mallory say about the cookies they are taking?

7. What does Jared tell his aunt and what is his hope for the guide?

8. How does Simon feel about Mallory's idea on the guide but what does he agree is the result of the guide? Why does he agree with Mallory?

9. What does Jared realize about the guide and the creatures asking for it?

10. What does Mallory ask to take the subject off of fathers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes Lucinda's Secret interesting. Discuss the following "good" characters:

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

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

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

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

Essay Topic 2

As in many fantasy novels, magic is an inherent part of a few of the characters. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the use of magic in Lucinda's Secret. Who possesses magic as an inherent aspect of their nature? Who can wield magic through the use of a tool? What is the difference between the two types of magical usage? Is one more powerful than the other?

2. Why do you think magic exists in so many fantasy novels? Do you think a novel can be "fantasy" and there be no magic as a part of the storyline? Why or why not?

3. Which type of magic would you rather possess--that of Thimbletack's magic or the magic the elves wield? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of Lucinda's Secret. Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Lucinda's Secret. How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to those themes? Is each theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in Lucinda's Secret? Which theme in Lucinda's Secret speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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