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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. When will the man at the camp be leaving?

2. What does Lon say about his people skills?

3. Why does the judge send him to Blue Canyon?

4. Who is a long-time friend of the Sheriff's?

5. Where is the car from that picks up Rick?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Killian whisper to Rick that frightens him, and what does Rick decide to do about it?

2. What does Rick tell Lon about his dreams and what is Lon's response?

3. What does Rick think about as he is riding in a camper in which he hid?

4. Where is the camper driving, and what does Rick find when he looks for food?

5. What does Rick see as he looks around the camp and what does he consider stealing?

6. What happens when Joe arrives at the camp and what does Joe tell Lon?

7. What does the man suggest Rick can do to get back to a town, what does he tell Rick about Rick's story and what is the man's name?

8. How does Rick end up at a gas station where a Humvee is parked?

9. What does Lon tell Rick about M4, what does he point out to Rick and what does he tell Rick about the visitors?

10. What does Rick find out about the restrained eagle and other animals?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes "The Maze" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Rick. 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 the character of Lon. 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.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Nuke. 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 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 "The Maze", 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 in "The Maze". (The subplots 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

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "The Maze", questions that Hobbs most likely wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Hobbs' 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?

(see the answer keys)

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