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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 Emma ask of Ethan?

2. Where does Emma go after everyone is asleep?

3. What excuse does Madeline use to leave Emma?

4. Where does Laurel remind Emma that they are going?

5. What has to be more elaborate that the last one?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Emma go to the bathroom and why does Sutton feel badly for Emma?

2. What does Emma realize about Sutton and why?

3. What are the rules of the lying game?

4. What do Emma and Garrett do and how does Emma discomfit Garrett momentarily?

5. What does Sutton remember about the scene at the hot springs?

6. What game do the girls play and what does Emma realize?

7. Why does Garrett become angry with Emma at the party?

8. What does Emma figure Laurel could have done as far as luring Emma there and the note on Sutton's car?

9. What does Sutton feel at the birthday party?

10. What does Emma discover about Laurel's room?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 Lying Game and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Lying Game is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

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 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Lying Game. Questions that Shepard 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 Shepard' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Shepard' probable agenda concerning that idea.

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

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

5. Research the life of Shepard and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 3

The Lying Game belongs to the mystery/thriller genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the mystery/thriller genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a mystery/thriller and a historical novel?

(see the answer keys)

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