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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. Where has Debbie moved her bedroom?

2. What are Debbie and Patty doing as they look at the yearbook?

3. What does Debbie's great aunt say Debbie's cousin's job is?

4. Who does Debbie think would want to know Hector's mother's recipe?

5. What has Hector decided to do to enhance his image as a musician?

Short Essay Questions

1. What book is Debbie reading in Chapter 22 and what does she think about the book and her life compared to the life of the protagonist in the book?

2. What does Hector do while waiting for the fireworks?

3. What does Peter call his grandmother and why is he at her house?

4. What does Debbie hear her mother telling a friend about Debbie's upcoming summer?

5. With what is Lenny helping his father in Chapter 16, and what is Debbie doing when she overhears them?

6. What subject does Peter's father approach with Mrs. Bruning and what is her response?

7. How does Debbie's necklace end up in a tar patch after Dan picked it up?

8. How is Mrs. Bruning when she comes home from the hospital and to what does she agree with Peter's parents?

9. Why are Phil, Debbie, Lenny and Hector sitting on a curb, what are they doing and what are they talking about?

10. What does Debbie think of Dan Persik?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes "Criss Cross" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Debbie. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Hector. 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.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Dan Persik. 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.

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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Criss Cross".

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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