Practice questions for the 2011 State Reader's Cup competition in Brsibane on 7 November 2011.

1. 1. Why do the speech bubbles change from smooth to jagged outlines? Shake a leg

2. 2. Be brave when you have to be, not when it merely seems noble…p68 of MZ – what does this mean? The Midnight Zoo

3. 3. What was in the black ebony jewellery box that Adelaide left? Six impossible things

4. 4. Why did Maggie have Sam making up song lyrics in his mind throughout the story? Shiver

5. 5. Why do you think Mulligan decided to put in the book how Raphael's dad had had a history with the police? Trash

6. 6. How is the Australian culture defined in “Shake a leg”? Shake a leg

7. 7. What is the role of Uncle Marin in The Midnight Zoo? The Midnight Zoo

8. 8. Name series that Shiver is first book in? Shiver

9. 9. What number locker did the key fit? Trash

10. 10. Is it ever acceptable to read someone’s diary? Why/why not? Six impossible things

11. 11. What techniques does Mulligan use to create tension? Trash

12. 12. How are Aboriginals portrayedin Shake a Leg? Shake a leg

13. 13. How did the fight between Jayzo and Dan change their relationship and why? Six impossible things

14. 14. After the bombs were dropped the boys find the animals could talk. Why did Sonya Hartnett do this? The Midnight Zoo

15. 15. Why do you think that Grace's parents were so ignorant about Grace's life, and why do you think Maggie made Grace's parents seem a bit childish even. Shiver

16. 16. How is Monty Boori Pryor addressing reconciliation in this book? Shake a leg

17. What were the six most impossible things for Dan? Six impossible things

18. 17.What effect is achieved through the five parts and different voices? Trash

19. 19. Each chapter heading has a different temperature? Why and how does it prepare the reader for events? Shiver

20. 20. The moon is personified in this story? What is the significance of this? The Midnight Zoo

21. 21. What bible is referenced in Trash? What was the significance of this bible reference? Trash

22. 22. What signals to Dan that his mother is feeling better? Six impossible things

23. 23. When the demarkationof the speech bubbles disappear what does this represent? Shake a leg

24. Are the themes in Shiver relevant to readers? Why? Shiver

25. 25 Why is the ending not clear? The Midnight Zoo

26. What stereotypes are challenged in “Shake a leg”?

27. What are three main themes of Trash? How are they connected?

28. Why was it a unlucky lucky day when Raphael found the bag?

29. 23. Why is oral storytelling important? Shake a leg

30. How is Jun Jun’s voice unique?

31. What was the relevance of the bible reference – St John at the crucifixion?

32. 24. What theme in Trash had an effect on a whole nation, and what was the effect? Trash