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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 Mallory stack on top of a steamer trunk?

2. What happens to Jared's candle when he rushed across the room?

3. What startled Jared awake the first night?

4. What did Mrs. Grace tell Mallory to do when she left for the store?

5. Why is Mallory waking Jared?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of books does Jared see in the second floor room?

2. What does Simon do first in his new bedroom?

3. 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?

4. What does Mrs. Grace say about the previous resident of their new home?

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

6. What does Mallory tell their mother they are doing and what does Mallory say about Jared?

7. What do the Grace children tell Ms. Black when they meet?

8. How does Mallory feel when she sees her fencing medal and what does she do?

9. What does Mallory tell Simon and Jared about their Aunt Lucinda?

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

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

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Jared is no exception. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze situations when Jared demonstrates his intelligence and courage. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Jared's character flaws offering specific examples of these flaws in your discussion.

3. Discuss how you think Jared's admirable traits makes him able to help with many of the problems the children face. Have his flaws impacted his life? Do any of his siblings notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?

Essay Topic 3

The Field Guide is the first book in a series, called the Spiderwick series. Discuss the following.

1. Discuss two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters and having the plot continue from one book to the next. Use examples.

2. Discuss two disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters and having the plot continue from one book to the next. Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or books in a series with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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