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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. Why doesn't September seem to mind leaving home?

2. What are the names of two women September encounters?

3. Who is Penny?

4. What might speed their journey along?

5. How do Ell and September pay for the fare?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is September contemplating when interrupted by the Marquess, and what does the Marquess say about September's journey?

2. Describe the conversation between Lye and September.

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

4. What do September and Ell ask the guardian of Pandemonium and how does the Guardian guide them?

5. How does September leave home and what does she leave behind?

6. What does September ask the Green Wind and how does the Leopard answer the question?

7. In how many directions does the signpost point; what are September's choices, and what does she decide?

8. What is required by Longitude and Latitude when September reaches the gateway to Fairyland, and then what does September do after completing the requirements for entering Fairyland?

9. Who wakes September after a quiet night's sleep and what do the two say to each other?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 2

The appearance of Death in Chapter 12 is a particularly intriguing aspect of the book, in that traditionally, mythologically and spiritually, Death is perceived and/or presented as much more threatening than its portrayal here. The explanation Death offers for this is quite thought provoking, and may well trigger, in the reader, an imagining of how death might look to him/her self and to others. In any case, the concept of Death, as defined here, seems to be related to a more broadly based experience than simply the end of physical life. In many spiritual philosophies and practices, including (for example) tarot cards, death is viewed as a symbolic representation of transformation, of moving from one phase of existence into another. As such, death is often encountered, albeit in a variety of forms, on The Hero's Journey, a narrative that, in a very fundamental way, is all about transformation, about leaving an old world and old ways behind. In short, September's encounter with Death here is not about an actual physical death, but a death of a younger, more naïve, less courageous version of herself.

1. Discuss two events in a person's life that could be considered a type of death that is not physical death. Compare those to one situation in September's life. Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss the transformation which occurs in September as she moves through her journey in Fairyland. Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

3. Why do you think death might be viewed symbolically as a transformation in an individual's life or person? Use examples from your life and the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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