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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. How many times is Armpit interviewed by the police?

2. What is one dilemma that Armpit faces?

3. What is Habib's alias?

4. What does Detective Newburg believe that Armpit did not know?

5. How does Felix blackmail Armpit?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens to make Kaira throw coffee in Armpit's face and leave?

3. What happens when Armpit witnesses an interrogation of X-Ray?

4. What does the narrator say about what happens in the events surrounding Kaira?

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

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

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

8. What happens when El Genius encounters Armpit in the hotel?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Small Steps.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Small Steps. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Small Steps. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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