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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 is Dru doing at the opening of Chapter One?

2. What does Dru tell Lizzie privately?

3. How are most of the kids that are there known to each other?

4. What would Dru like to do about the jump?

5. What does Scooter say about Mike and the party?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dru do after Elisa falls asleep and how does she feel about her dad?

2. What does Scooter ask Mike and Dru to do, why does he ask them and what does Dru think of Scooter jumping?

3. What does Jeremy say to Dru when she sees him?

4. What does Hopi say about jumping?

5. How does Diane feel about Mike?

6. Why is Dru different from the other teenagers at the Nail, what rumor does one teen say to Dru?

7. What has Dru just finished, and what is she thinking about as she walks her dog looking at houses?

8. What happens when Dru shows Elisa the mangled boot?

9. What happens when Scooter and Elisa jump and immediately after?

10. Who does Dru run into while walking her dog and what does the person ask her and say to her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

Trace and analyze the theme of teenagers feeling invisible throughout "Jumping the Nail".

Trace and analyze the theme of peer pressure throughout "Jumping the Nail".

Trace and analyze the theme of control and power in a relationship throughout "Jumping the Nail".

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Jumping the Nail". Questions that Bunting most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of Bunting's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Bunting's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Bunting and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Jumping the Nail" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Jumping the Nail"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Jumping the Nail to discuss and compare one of the character's response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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