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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 Rick take from the camper when he leaves it?

2. What does Rick hear on the radio in the second car?

3. How does Nuke consider Canyonsland National Park?

4. Where is Rick at the opening to chapter 11?

5. What is the only thing Rick knows about himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rick think about as he is riding in a camper in which he hid?

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

3. Why is Rick worried because his social worker was fired, and what does he plan to do about his fears?

4. What happens when Joe arrives at the camp and what does Joe tell Lon?

5. What librarian project does Rick think about, and how did that project fare?

6. Why has Rick been brought before a judge, what does he say about his actions and how does the judge view Rick?

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

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

9. What does Rick learn from the man about where he is?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many people were running from their problems, such as jobs they hated, bad marriages, or escaping from relatives they did not like, by leaving for the gold fields. Many realized very quickly that no matter how far they ran the character flaws were always there. Rick has run from his problems, but then finds he must face the central cause of his problems -- himself.

1. Running from problems by going somewhere else is called a "geographic cure." Discuss what do you think this means.

2. Do you believe taking the geographic cure is a good idea or a bad idea? Why or why not? Could it be different depending on the circumstance? How did running help Rick? How did it harm him?

3. Discuss two situations that might respond well to a geographic cure and two that wouldn't be helped with on. Does Rick's determination to leave the detention center seem like a geographic cure? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "The Maze". 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 Hobbs chooses the symbols he 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 Hobbs chooses the metaphors she does?

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

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes "The Maze" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Rick. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Lon. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Nuke. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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