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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 is Armpit doing when he notices a white woman at his door?

2. What happened to Kaira's money?

3. Who has been embezzling money from Kaira?

4. What does Felix tell Armpit?

5. What is Armpit working on when X-Ray and a couple others visit him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Armpit decide about the trip and how does he feel about his decision?

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

3. Describe Armpit's conversation with Detective Newburg.

4. Who visits Armpit while he is doing some plumbing and what do they want?

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

6. What happens in the chaotic aftermath of the attack?

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

8. Describe the interaction between Armpit and Kaira in the hotel restaurant.

9. Describe the phone conversation between X-Ray and Armpit.

10. What does Detective Newburg ask Armpit to do and what is his response?

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

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Small Steps, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Small Steps. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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