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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 is Jared's mother as she wakes him in the morning?

2. What does Mallory think about what is on the floor?

3. About what is Simon talking at the table?

4. What happens when Jared distracts Simon?

5. What has strange words from newspaper clippings?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jared point out in the kitchen and what happens to his evidence?

2. What does Jared do with the black plastic garbage bag and what does he see inside it?

3. What does Jared ask Mallory about her hair and what are Mallory's private doubts?

4. What does Ms. Grace think about Mallory's situation?

5. What is the attic like?

6. What does Jared ask their mother about Arthur and what is her reply?

7. What do Simon and Mallory think about her situation?

8. What does Simon look at that Jared shows him and what does he wonder?

9. What is Jared doing that night that surprises Simon, what is Simon doing and what is Jared thinking about?

10. What does Jared ultimately find in the trunk?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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 The Field Guide.

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

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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