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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. With whom does Simon agree about the Field Guide?

2. What does Mallory ask Jared to do in the kitchen?

3. What new pet does Simon have?

4. Who gets the blame for the last prank played on Jared?

5. Of what does their mother remind them when Jared and Mallory begin fighting?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the children see when they enter their aunt's room?

2. What does Jared realize about the guide and the creatures asking for it?

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

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

5. What does Jared suggest when his siblings ask him who can help?

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

7. What does Mallory ask Jared to do in the kitchen, what does she do when he ignores her and what happens when he finally does her request?

8. How does Simon feel about Mallory's idea on the guide but what does he agree is the result of the guide? Why does he agree with Mallory?

9. What happened between Jared and Thimbletack prior to the pranks starting and what did Jared do to hope to appease the brownie?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast Mallory to Jared. How are they alike? How are they different? Do you think their differences are mainly due to their gender differences?

2. Compare/contrast Jared to Simon. How are they alike? How are they different? How do their "world views" differ? Who is the better leader/ruler? Under which one would you rather live?

3. Compare/contrast Simon to Mallory. How are they alike? How are they different? Who is more likable? Approachable? Compassionate? Intellectual?

Essay Topic 3

Lucinda's Secret is the third book in a series, called the Spiderwick series. Discuss the following.

1. Discuss two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters and having the plot continue from one book to the next. Use examples.

2. Discuss two disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters and having the plot continue from one book to the next. Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or books in a series with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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