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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 Armpit's boss offer Armpit?

2. What do Ginny and Armpit's conversation about Kaira reveal?

3. What does Armpit forget for a moment when he arrives at the hotel?

4. What does Armpit do about the decisions he has to make?

5. Who interrupts El Genius' battering of Kaira?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Kaira is getting ready for her show and El Genius comes in her room?

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

3. Describe Armpit's conversation with Detective Newburg.

4. Describe the conversation between Detective Newburg and Armpit after he witnesses X-Ray's interrogation.

5. What does the narrator say about what happens in the events surrounding Kaira?

6. What does Armpit decide about the trip and how does he feel about his decision?

7. Who visits Armpit while he is doing some plumbing and what do they want?

8. What does Armpit stop to buy and then where do Kaira and Armpit go?

9. What does El Genius do in Armpit's room?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Small Steps belongs to the young adult novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young adult novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young adult novel and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes Small Steps interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Armpit. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Kaira. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of El Genius. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Small Steps based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Small Steps is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider Small Steps a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,103 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample