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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 Jared spit out the water he drank?

2. What does Jared hope will happen concerning the guide?

3. Who is Arthur?

4. From whom might Lucinda have learned any knowledge about the hidden world?

5. What does Jared think is the reason the creatures want the guide?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What did the creatures from the Fantastical World do to Lucy because of the Field Guide?

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

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

6. 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?

7. What does the asylum look like?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Lucinda's Secret help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Lucinda's Secret? Why or why not?

3. Choose one specific incident in Lucinda's Secret to discuss and compare Jared's response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Lucinda's Secret is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Jared is no exception. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze situations when Jared demonstrates his intelligence and courage. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Jared's character flaws offering specific examples of these flaws in your discussion.

3. Discuss how you think Jared's admirable traits makes him able to help with many of the problems the children face. Have his flaws impacted his life? Do any of his siblings notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?

(see the answer keys)

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