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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. Who disagrees with Jared about what may have happened to Arthur?

2. What does Lorengorm say humans do?

3. What is ahead of the children on the path?

4. Why do the children search the library?

5. Why do they not talk to the griffin?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Jared's response to the elves ravings and how does Lorengorm answer Jared?

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

4. 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?

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

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

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

8. Who is the first of the three beings to speak to the children and what does she say?

9. What happens with the children when they walk up the hill?

10. What does the children's mother think about them taking a walk and what does each child take on the walk?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Following the path of their Uncle frustrates Jared when Simon refuses to explain why he appears to be backtracking on the path. Mallory continues to follow without question and when Jared finally tries to ask Simon where they are going, Simon snaps at Jared. While Simon is under a spell, his angry words show that he is sometimes resentful of Jared's need to be in charge all the time and somewhat jealous of Jared who seems to always be able to find a solution to a problem.

1. Why do you think Simon ignoring Jared was frustrating to Jared? Do you think most people become frustrated when they are ignored? Why or why not? Use examples from Lucinda's Secret and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think Simon was ignoring Jared because of a spell or did the spell simply cause him to do what he would like to do when he is himself? Do you think Simon resents Jared always trying to be in charge of a situation? Why or why not? Use examples from Lucinda's Secret and your own life to support your answer.

3. If you were under a spell and could say or do anything you want to one of your siblings or good friends, using the spell as an excuse so they wouldn't blame you, what would you do? Why would you do it?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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