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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 Ange invite Marcus?

2. Why do the police search the cell phones of those arrested?

3. Where does Marcus' family go after his father hears the story?

4. What does Mrs. Anderson believe about the Bill of Rights?

5. Why does Marcus tell his mother about what happened to him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the note say that Jeb slips into Marcus' pocket?

2. Who takes over Mrs. Galvez's social studies class and what does she say about the Bill of Rights?

3. Why does Marcus believe he has to try to end the arrests and what is Ange's response?

4. How are the Xnetters portrayed the day after the "press" conference?

5. How does Marcus realize that the quote Ange said at the party is not spoken by Ange spontaneously the night of the party?

6. What does National Public Radio run the next morning?

7. How does Marcus respond to Mrs. Anderson's opinion on the Bill of Rights and what happens to him?

8. What format do Marcus and Ange use to hold a "press" conference?

9. What happens to break up the concert?

10. What are some other countries' response to the news coverage surrounding the terrorists situation, and what do Marcus' parents think about this?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Little Brother". Questions that Doctorow 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 the Doctorow' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Doctorow' 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 Doctorow and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 2

Little Brother belongs to the political science fiction genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the political science fiction genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a political science fiction and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Cory Doctorow.

2. What in Doctorow's background may have helped him in writing "Little Brother"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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