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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. Where does Jared say the things Lucinda's father used to make might be?

2. Who is Arthur?

3. What did the children make for their aunt?

4. What does Mallory ask Jared to do in the kitchen?

5. What does Mallory ask her aunt?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Lucinda tell the children and what does she ask them about their lives?

3. What does the asylum look like?

4. What do the Grace children do as soon as their mother leaves the room and what does Lucinda say about their house?

5. What happened between Jared and Thimbletack prior to the pranks starting and what did Jared do to hope to appease the brownie?

6. What kind of images does Jared have of the asylum and what is the reality of it?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 Lucinda's Secret.

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?

Essay Topic 2

Lucinda's Secret is the third book in a series, called the Spiderwick series. Discuss the following.

1. Discuss two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters and having the plot continue from one book to the next. Use examples.

2. Discuss two disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters and having the plot continue from one book to the next. Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or books in a series with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

There are non-human sentient beings in Lucinda's Secret. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss the phooka. Who are they? What are their powers? What is their purpose? Are they "good" or "evil"? What do they look like physically? What role do they play in forwarding the plot? Are they believable? Why or why not?

2. Thoroughly discuss the elves. What are they? What are their powers? What is their purpose? Are they "good" or "evil"? What do they look like physically? What role does he play in forwarding the plot? Is he believable? Why or why not?

3. Thoroughly discuss Thimbletack. What is he? What are his powers? What is his purpose? Is he "good" or "evil"? What does he look like physically? What role does he play in forwarding the plot? Is he believable? Why or why not?

4. Do you think sentient, non-human beings adds to the enjoyment of Lucinda's Secret? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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