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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. What does Jared want to show Lucinda?

2. What is Mallory's stipulation about what her brothers want to do?

3. Why do they not talk to the griffin?

4. When do three reatures from the Fantastical World enter the meadow?

5. What do the children decide to do with the marbles?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Mallory find that has them all excited and what do they find out about Arthur through her find?

2. What does Lorengorm say to them?

3. What do the three beings who come through the trees look like?

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

5. 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?

6. How does Helen react to Jared and Mallory fighting in Lucinda's room and what happens to Lucinda?

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

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

9. What does the unicorn show the children and how do they react to the vision?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Lucinda's Secret is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

Lucinda's Secret is the third book in a series, called the Spiderwick series. Discuss the following.

1. Discuss two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters and having the plot continue from one book to the next. Use examples.

2. Discuss two disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters and having the plot continue from one book to the next. Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or books in a series with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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