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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 does Ruby say about Gervais?

2. What does Ruby realize in the morning?

3. What does Mr. Thackray urge Jaime to do?

4. Who is Melissa West?

5. Who does Nate seem to notice especially at school?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ruby say about Gervais at the beginning of this chapter?

2. What does Ruby notice about Jaime at breakfast the next morning?

3. How does Ruby come to get a job at the mall?

4. What has Jaime bought for himself, Ruby, Cora and Roscoe and how do Ruby and Cora react?

5. What discussion does Ruby have with Cora about the bus system?

6. How does Ruby describe Olivia's behavior in literature class?

7. What does Ruby want to do with the money Cora gives her for clothes, and what does she ultimately do?

8. What new ad campaign does Jaime dream up and what are Cora and Ruby's responses?

9. Describe Gervais.

10. What discussion do Jaime and Mr. Thackray have when Jaime brings Ruby to enroll in school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 Lock and Key help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Lock and Key? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Lock and Key to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Lock and Key.

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

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

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Lock and Key. 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 Dessen 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 Dessen chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Dessen's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Dessen 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).

(see the answer keys)

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