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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 the asylum look like?

2. What do sprites bring Lucinda regularly?

3. What peculiarity does the nurse point out about the Aunt?

4. After what event did the pranks begin?

5. What section of the Field Guide is Jared reading in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mallory ask to take the subject off of fathers?

2. What does Jared tell his aunt and what is his hope for the guide?

3. What is Jared doing with his clothes and why is he doing it?

4. Why does Lucinda say nothing of the house matters and what surprises Jared about Lucy's mother?

5. What did the creatures from the Fantastical World do to Lucy because of the Field Guide?

6. What does Lucinda snatch away from Simon and then what does she say about the house?

7. Who is taking the children to see Lucinda and what does Mallory say about the cookies they are taking?

8. What do the Grace children do as soon as their mother leaves the room and what does Lucinda say about their house?

9. What kind of pranks is Thimbletack playing and who was blamed for the last prank by Jared's mother?

10. What does Jared ask Simon and Mallory if they want to give up and what do they say to that question?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Following the path of their Uncle frustrates Jared when Simon refuses to explain why he appears to be backtracking on the path. Mallory continues to follow without question and when Jared finally tries to ask Simon where they are going, Simon snaps at Jared. While Simon is under a spell, his angry words show that he is sometimes resentful of Jared's need to be in charge all the time and somewhat jealous of Jared who seems to always be able to find a solution to a problem.

1. Why do you think Simon ignoring Jared was frustrating to Jared? Do you think most people become frustrated when they are ignored? Why or why not? Use examples from Lucinda's Secret and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think Simon was ignoring Jared because of a spell or did the spell simply cause him to do what he would like to do when he is himself? Do you think Simon resents Jared always trying to be in charge of a situation? Why or why not? Use examples from Lucinda's Secret and your own life to support your answer.

3. If you were under a spell and could say or do anything you want to one of your siblings or good friends, using the spell as an excuse so they wouldn't blame you, what would you do? Why would you do it?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Lucinda's Secret, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements (They may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Whenever reading a science fiction or fantasy novel, one must become familiar with new terminology that explains concepts or technology that is not a part of the "real" world. In the case of Lucinda's Secret, much of the setting is familiar to the reader, though there are new ideas and terms to learn. Discuss the following:

1. Find five terms that are a part of Lucinda's Secret's world that occur in the "real" world but are used differently in Lucinda's Secret's world. Define the words as used in in Lucinda's Secret's world and compare those five words as to how they are currently used in the American English language.

2. There are ways of learning about a new world or time when reading a science fiction or fantasy novel. Discuss the ways you were able to understand the world of Lucinda's Secret. Did you have to look up any words? What does it mean to learn a word through its context? Do you have to do that in Lucinda's Secret? What word(s)?

3. Were there any words you never really understood from Lucinda's Secret? Which ones?

(see the answer keys)

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