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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 do Ginny and Armpit's conversation about Kaira reveal?

2. For what do Kaira and Armpit shop?

3. What does Newburg want with Armpit?

4. What letters does Kaira talk about?

5. How does El Genius harm Fred?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Armpit stop to buy and then where do Kaira and Armpit go?

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

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

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

6. What happens when Armpit encounters Felix and Moses coming back from his speech exam?

7. What does the letter Armpit receives from Kaira say?

8. What does Detective Newburg tell Armpit?

9. Why is Armpit uneasy in a coffee shop and what does Kaira say about Ginny and Kaira's own work with a dying girl?

10. What happens when Armpit gets to the hotel to visit Kaira?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Small Steps belongs to the young adult novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young adult novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young adult novel and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 2

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 Small Steps and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Small Steps is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

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?

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 1,160 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample