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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. After what bird does Rick name himself?

2. Where does the pit bull grab hold?

3. What does Josh work on where he is?

4. What does Rick hear in the distance hours later?

5. How long does Rick care for the eagle?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Rick do after he hears the men talking about Lon?

3. 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?

4. How does Lon catch M4?

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

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

7. How does Rick find Lon, and how does he rescue him?

8. How does M4 end up dead?

9. 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?

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

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

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 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "The Maze".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of this novel. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "The Maze". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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