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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. Who is missing?

2. What does September think she is seeing when she spies the shore?

3. Why is the wedding between Ghiyath the Jann and Rabab the Marid mentioned?

4. Who is on a list of beings barred by the ruler of Fairyland?

5. For what do they use the sash from the Green Jacket?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ell tell September about Pandemonium and why doesn't he know much?

2. What has Ell memorized and how does he get the name September chooses for him?

3. What must all travelers do, and what does Lye wash into September?

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

5. What is the House the two come upon and who lives there?

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

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

8. Where does Ell say he will go with her and why will he do so?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of freedom in The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland. Who has freedom in Fairyland? Who wants freedom? What types of freedoms are there besides physical freedom?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland. Questions that Valente most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Valente's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Valente's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Valente and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Valente chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Valente chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Valente's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, others), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Valente use too many or too few literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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