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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 Detective Newburg tell Armpit?

2. Where does Kaira invite Armpit to visit her?

3. What does Armpit do about the decisions he has to make?

4. What does Armpit say he should have done with Kaira?

5. How much does Armpit say he paid for the tickets?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Kaira is getting ready for her show and El Genius comes in her room?

2. What does Armpit tell Ginny about his experience in San Francisco?

3. What does Armpit's boss say about Armpit's work and what does the boss offer to do?

4. What does Armpit realize about a song he hears Kaira sing?

5. What does Detective Newburg tell Armpit?

6. How does Kaira discover that Armpit is ticklish and what does Fred interrupt?

7. What does Armpit notice as he is telling Ginny about his time with Kaira?

8. Describe Armpit's conversation with Detective Newburg.

9. In what dilemmas is Armpit immersed, and what does he decide?

10. What "game" do Kaira and Armpit play when they leave the hotel restaurant and what does Kaira disclose to Armpit?

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

Over the course of Small Steps, Armpit grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Small Steps might be considered a slice of Armpit's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that Small Steps is a "bildungsroman" of Theodore Johnson. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Armpit as he changes from a more immature, gullible boy to a wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Armpit?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Armpit's growth throughout Small Steps, do you think Small Steps could be considered Armpit's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in Small Steps who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Small Steps based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Small Steps is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider Small Steps a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

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