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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 many foster homes was Rick in his first four years in foster care?

2. What does Rick steal to help him leave the camp?

3. What does Rick find when he looks around the camp?

4. How old was his grandmother when she died?

5. Why does Rick not follow his social worker's suggestion?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lon tell Rick about his work?

2. What is the dream Rick has when he is sleeping in the desert where the camper had gone?

3. What does Lon tell Rick about M4, what does he point out to Rick and what does he tell Rick about the visitors?

4. What does the man do when Rick gets into the passenger side of the man's truck?

5. What are two condors doing while an eagle is feeding and how do the condors feed?

6. How does Rick end up at a gas station where a Humvee is parked?

7. What does Lon tell Rick his job will be while Lon is hang gliding? Who is going hang gliding with Rick?

8. What does Rick tell Lon about his dreams and what is Lon's response?

9. What is Rick reading in the library, how does he relate to the story and what discourages Rick about Mr. B's encouragement?

10. What does Rick see as he looks around the camp and what does he consider stealing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "The Maze", questions that Hobbs most likely wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Hobbs' 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?

Essay Topic 2

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

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Rick and Lon. 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 Lon and Nuke. 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 Maze" 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

Over the course of "The Maze", Rick grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "The Maze" might be considered a slice of Rick's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that "The Maze" is a "bildungsroman" of Rick Fisher. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Rick as he changes from a more carefree, innocent boy to a wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Rick?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Rick's growth throughout the story, do you think "The Maze" could be considered Rick's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in the novel who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

(see the answer keys)

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