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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 can't Lucinda eat human food?

2. Who does Helen speak to in the hallway?

3. What does Jared hope about his aunt?

4. What does the family notice after checking in at the reception area?

5. What does the family wonder about concerning their aunt?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. 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?

5. What does Jared suggest when his siblings ask him who can help?

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

7. What does Lucinda say happened with her when her father left?

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

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

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

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Lucinda's Secret based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Lucinda's Secret is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the fact that Lucinda's Secret is part of a series changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Mallory is having trouble coping with the realization that their home and the family's safety is unpredictable and precarious. The uncertainty of life alarms her.

1. Why do you think Mallory is alarmed at the uncertainty of life? Use examples from Lucinda's Secret and your own life to support your answer.

2. Have you ever felt that life was scary because it was uncertain? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life to support your answer.

3. What are some of the things you think are absolutely certain about life and what are some that you think are completely uncertain?

Essay Topic 3

Lucinda's Secret belongs to the fantasy genre. Discuss the following:

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

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

3. Discuss two reasons why it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

4. Discuss what your favorite genre is; give several examples and explain what you enjoy about books in that genre.

(see the answer keys)

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