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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 does Jeremy's mother do volunteer work?

2. What does Dru tell her father when she calls him at the beginning of Chapter 7?

3. What is the condition outside near the Nail?

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

5. What does Scooter say jumping off the Nail does?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where do Dru and Mike go at the beginning of Chapter Two, what is it like there, who else is there, and what does Dru hope?

3. What does Dru tell Elisa as Elisa is dressing, what is Elisa's response and what does Elisa do to get ready to go to the party?

4. How does Dru get to talk to Elisa, what does Dru say to her and what is her response?

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

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

7. What does Dru ask Elisa about concerning her secret and what is Elisa's response?

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

9. What is the Nail and who has been hurt on it?

10. What is it like at the Nail right before Elisa and Scooter jump, what does Lizzie say and what does Mike do with Dru?

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

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Jumping the Nail". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Bunting chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Bunting chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Bunting's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Bunting use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme.)

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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