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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 September find in her pocket?

2. What portrait is in the hall where September finds herself?

3. What is carved into the forehead of the person who lives at the house?

4. What does September do with the Spoon?

5. What are the gardens like surrounding the Briary?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is the customs agent and what does she do?

2. What does September not do as she is leaving home and what is the explanation given for her not doing so?

3. What do Ell and September have to pass through to meet with the Marquess and what happens to Ell?

4. Who are the witches September encounters and what do they do with her?

5. Why does Betsy allow September to enter but not her companions?

6. What does September decide about Saturday; what does Iago decide about Ell and what is Ell's response?

7. Who is on the shores of the Barleybroom River and what are they waiting to do?

8. Who is Calpurnia Farthing and whom has she rescued?

9. How does Queen Mallow construct the city of Pandemonium?

10. Describe the conversation between Lye and September.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland 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?

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of September and The Marquess. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Ell and Saturday. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Catherynne M. Valente.

2. What in Valente's background may have helped her in writing The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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