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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 did the children hear in the wall?

2. What was the Graces' previous home?

3. What was the only piece of furniture in the dining room?

4. What does Jared wish was happening as they are unloading their car?

5. What kind of dwarves was one book about?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jared recall about the events in his life since his parents' divorce and what does his mother suggest to him about their new home?

2. What does Jared decide to do with the dumbwaiter, how do his siblings help and how does he fit?

3. What does Mallory do to the wall in the kitchen and what does she see?

4. How is Jared feeling when he comes back downstairs, what does Mallory tell him and how does their mother hear them? What does their mother tell the children?

5. What does Jared see when he hears a noise and how does he lose his light?

6. What does Jared hear in his new home and what does he assume?

7. What happens as the dumbwaiter approaches the second floor?

8. What is the additional worry about the Graces' new home?

9. What does Jared see when he gets out of the dumbwaiter?

10. What is the painting Jared sees in the little room on the second floor?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Mrs. Grace feels the dangers in the house, but is concerned with things like finding out that Jared has been running around the attic.

1. Why do you think Mrs. Grace is alarmed at Jared's behavior? Use examples from The Field Guide and your own life to support your answer.

2. Have you ever felt that life was scary because it was uncertain? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life to support your answer.

3. What are some of the things you think are absolutely certain about life and what are some that you think are completely uncertain?

Essay Topic 2

The Field Guide belongs to the fantasy genre. Discuss the following:

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

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

3. Discuss two reasons why it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

4. Discuss what your favorite genre is; give several examples and explain what you enjoy about books in that genre.

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 The Field Guide, 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 (They 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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