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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 is Mallory happy?

2. Why do the children search the library?

3. Who does Simon think stole Jared's book?

4. What does Mallory insist she did not do?

5. Why does Jared feel excited?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mallory say to Jared when they arrive home and how does he respond?

2. What do the elves say about humans and the field guide when they get angry?

3. What does Mallory ask Simon about what he brings on the walk and what is his response?

4. What do the children do when they return from the barn?

5. What does Simon suggest about Mallory's find and what is her response?

6. What begins to make the children nervous and what happens as they reach a meadow?

7. What does Jared order his siblings to do and how do they accomplish this?

8. How does Mallory feel about the conversation with the rabbit-monkey creature and what does Simon ask it? What is the creature's response to Simon's question?

9. How does Mallory feel about the guide being gone and what does Jared say to her about it?

10. What confuses Jared about the walk and what does he remember from the Field Guide?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Jared is so mad at Mallory that he almost hits her and if not for Simon grabbing his arms he may have hurt his sister. His crying seems to be because he is angry and frustrated but also because he is afraid at how close he came to hitting his sister. Jared is frightened by the anger that sometimes seems to overwhelm him. He seems to have some problems controlling his emotions and temper that so many times he is not willing to listen to the people that he loves.

1. What are some better ways for Jared to deal with his anger at Mallory without violence? Use examples from Lucinda's Secret and your own life to support your answer.

2. Often times when someone is very angry they cry. What are some other ways that people express anger and how do you express anger? Is the way you express anger similar to Jared? Use examples from Lucinda's Secret and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think not listening to those people Jared loves causes his anger or is not listening a result of his anger? How might Jared have been helped if he would have listened to his sister? Do you think the fact that their father left might be some of the cause of Jared's anger? Why or why not? Use examples from Lucinda's Secret and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast Mallory to Jared. How are they alike? How are they different? Do you think their differences are mainly due to their gender differences?

2. Compare/contrast Jared to Simon. How are they alike? How are they different? How do their "world views" differ? Who is the better leader/ruler? Under which one would you rather live?

3. Compare/contrast Simon to Mallory. How are they alike? How are they different? Who is more likable? Approachable? Compassionate? Intellectual?

Essay Topic 3

Before they get out of the car, Jared wonders if anyone every visits Aunt Lucinda and speculates that they are the first visitors in a long time. Their Mom gets instantly angry, which seems slightly defensive on her part as if she feels guilty about not visiting and feels badly about how the family is treating Lucinda. Mallory asks if Grandma visits, which she does but only infrequently. At one point they were so close but she does not know how to deal with Lucinda's condition.

1. Do you think Helen Grace is angry because she feels guilty? Why or why not? Use examples from Lucinda's Secret and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think Lucinda should be in the asylum? Why or why not? Use examples from Lucinda's Secret and your own life to support your answer.

3. What do you think are some better ways than anger to deal with guilt? Use examples from your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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