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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 happens on the way home from school to Armpit?

2. Armpit notices that __________ is missing.

3. To what do Armpit and Mayor Ane dance?

4. Through what state is Kaira traveling?

5. What has one customer offered for the last two tickets?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Kaira decide to sing and how does it turn out?

2. Who is X-Ray and what does he want of Armpit and what is Armpit's initial response to X-Ray's proposal?

3. How does Armpit finally understand his economics concepts?

4. What is the election result and how does Tatiana console Armpit?

5. Why are Armpit's parents concerned about Armpit taking Ginny to the concert?

6. Why is Cotton fired and what does Kaira promise to do about it?

7. Where does Kaira take Armpit and Ginny and what do they do?

8. What happens that makes Theodore decide to turn his life around?

9. What does Armpit's counselor advise Armpit about taking steps?

10. Why does Kaira ride in the band's bus and whose music does the band play for her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 Small Steps is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

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 Small Steps help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Small Steps? Why or why not?

3. Choose one specific incident in Small Steps to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

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 Small Steps 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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,026 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample