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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 dream does Rick have when he sleeps his first night in the desert?

2. How does Rick get his third ride?

3. Why is Nuke's grazing permit rescinded?

4. What does the judge think when Rick says he doesn't know why he did what he did?

5. Where does Rick plan to hide out at Blue Canyon?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Nuke opposing Lon?

2. What do Lon and Rick do after Joe leaves, what does Rick ask Lon and what is Lon's response?

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

4. How does Rick get caught and what does the man order him to do?

5. What does the man suggest Rick can do to get back to a town, what does he tell Rick about Rick's story and what is the man's name?

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

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

8. What does Rick find in Lon's tent?

9. What does Rick's social worker tell the judge about Rick's life, and about how well the social worker knows Rick?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "The Maze", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "The Maze". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

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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