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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. How many steps does the narrator describe that Theodore needs to take to change his life?

2. What story was a plant by El Genius?

3. For how much has X-Ray advertised the tickets?

4. What part of the tale about the concert does Armpit leave out?

5. What is Karira currently doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Kaira decide to sing and how does it turn out?

2. What happens to Armpit on his way home, and why does the incident not bother him?

3. Why is Cotton fired and what does Kaira promise to do about it?

4. What do Ginny and Armpit do after the concert?

5. Who is X-Ray and what does he want of Armpit and what is Armpit's initial response to X-Ray's proposal?

6. Why does Kaira ride in the band's bus and whose music does the band play for her?

7. What happens that makes Theodore decide to turn his life around?

8. Where does Kaira take Armpit and Ginny and what do they do?

9. What does Ginny's mother allow Armpit to do and what comment does she make that surprises Armpit's mother?

10. What happens between Armpit and some police officers and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Small Steps.

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

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

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Small Steps. 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 Sachar chooses the symbols he 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 Sachar chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Sachar'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 Sachar 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

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Small Steps is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,214 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample