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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 the judge acknowledge exists at Blue Canyon?

2. When does Josh arrive?

3. Of what does the judge remind Rick?.

4. What does Rick realize Carlile has stolen when Rick gets back to camp?

5. What does Lon tell Rick to do if he is not back in an hour?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Rick do after he hears the men talking about Lon?

2. What does Lon tell Josh about M4, what favor does he ask of Josh and why?

3. How does Lon catch M4?

4. What does Rick tell the judge, and what is the final disposition of Rick's case?

5. How did Lon end up with Ernie?

6. How does Rick help Lon after Lon captures M4?

7. How does Rick end up getting chased by Nuke's dog, and how does he manage to get away?

8. How does Rick find Lon, and how does he rescue him?

9. How does M4 end up dead?

10. What does Lon do about M4 flying in the wrong direction, and what does he decide to do when that fails?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Rick and Lon. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Lon and Nuke. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "The Maze" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "The Maze" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "The Maze" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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