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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 scares off the other birds from the carcass?

2. How does Rick indicate his desire to land?

3. What does Josh work on where he is?

4. What does Carlile claim he has been doing?

5. What does Rick wonder about Killian's parents?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Carlile tell Lon about gunshots he and Rick hear and what does Lon tell Rick to do when they leave Carlile's camp?

2. How does Rick end up getting chased by Nuke's dog, and how does he manage to get away?

3. What does Rick do on his third and fourth day hang gliding?

4. How does Lon catch M4?

5. What does Lon tell Rick he will do with Rick, what do they discover missing, what does Rick say about the story of Icarus and who do they think have stolen their missing items?

6. What does Lon tell Josh about M4, what favor does he ask of Josh and why?

7. What does Rick do to find Lon and how does Carlile try to stop him?

8. What does Lon do about M4 flying in the wrong direction, and what does he decide to do when that fails?

9. How does Rick's attempt at hang gliding by himself work out?

10. How does Rick hike in the Maze and what does he find there? Why is Lon excited when Rick returns from the maze?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "The Maze" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if the book is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "The Maze" a successful novel? What about young teens?

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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