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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 is X-Ray prepared to do?

2. What seems to be Kaira's disability?

3. What message does Kaira leave Armpit.

4. Who is at Armpit's house?

5. What is special about the room where Armpit is ushered to in the police station?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when El Genius encounters Armpit in the hotel?

2. Why is Armpit uneasy in a coffee shop and what does Kaira say about Ginny and Kaira's own work with a dying girl?

3. What does Armpit's boss say about Armpit's work and what does the boss offer to do?

4. How does the attack on Kaira end?

5. What does Armpit notice as he is telling Ginny about his time with Kaira?

6. What does X-Ray tell Armpit and how does Armpit respond?

7. Describe Armpit's conversation with Detective Newburg.

8. What happens to make Kaira throw coffee in Armpit's face and leave?

9. What have Aileen and El Genius been doing with Kaira's money, and why does El Genius want Armpit to come to San Francisco?

10. What does Detective Newburg tell Armpit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Small Steps. Questions that Sachar 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 Sachar' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Sachar' 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 Sachar and see how his life might have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 2

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 Louis Sachar.

2. What in Sachar's background may have helped him in writing Small Steps? 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.

Essay Topic 3

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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