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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 check his backpack?

2. What does Mallory tell her aunt?

3. What does the bag in their aunt's side table contain?

4. What book does Jared pull out of his backpack?

5. To what is the Aunt connected?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mallory tell Jared about the Field Guide and what do they do then?

2. Who does Jared know could tell the children about the guide and why can't they ask him?

3. 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?

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

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

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

7. Why does Lucinda say nothing of the house matters and what surprises Jared about Lucy's mother?

8. What does Lucinda snatch away from Simon and then what does she say about the house?

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

10. What does Jared ask Simon and Mallory if they want to give up and what do they say to that question?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Whenever reading a science fiction or fantasy novel, one must become familiar with new terminology that explains concepts or technology that is not a part of the "real" world. In the case of Lucinda's Secret, much of the setting is familiar to the reader, though there are new ideas and terms to learn. Discuss the following:

1. Find five terms that are a part of Lucinda's Secret's world that occur in the "real" world but are used differently in Lucinda's Secret's world. Define the words as used in in Lucinda's Secret's world and compare those five words as to how they are currently used in the American English language.

2. There are ways of learning about a new world or time when reading a science fiction or fantasy novel. Discuss the ways you were able to understand the world of Lucinda's Secret. Did you have to look up any words? What does it mean to learn a word through its context? Do you have to do that in Lucinda's Secret? What word(s)?

3. Were there any words you never really understood from Lucinda's Secret? Which ones?

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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