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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 old is Rick's mother when Rick is born?

2. What do hang gliders use to glide?

3. In which direction does Maverick fly when Lon tries to catch him?

4. Where do the flyers find a thermal?

5. Where does Rick take the spotting telescope?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lon tell Rick about how he became involved with condors?

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

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

4. How does M4 end up dead?

5. Who is with Rick back in court, how does Rick feel, what does the judge do when he first comes into the court and what does he ask Rick?

6. What does Rick tell the judge, and what is the final disposition of Rick's case?

7. What does Rick see when he is on the glider, and what problem does he encounter in the glider?

8. How does Rick feel when he hang glides with Lon the first time and what does Lon tell him to do? How does Rick feel after he is settled on the glider?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "The Maze". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in the story. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "The Maze". Consider the death of not just M4 and Rick's grandmother, but the death of the Rick's past, and how these events have affected him. Trace the point when Rick decides to let his past go and move forward.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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