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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 happened to Grandfather?

2. What does Vicky's grandfather start to call her that he used to call his daughter?

3. Who are Una and Nini?

4. What is Vicky's father planning to do this summer?

5. Why does Vicky's family not appreciate Zachary?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the concern about the swallows and how do Vicky and her siblings solve the problem?

2. About what does John wonder when he spies Zachary and how does Vicky react to John's statement?

3. Who is Zachary Gray, and why does Vicky's family not approve of him?

4. What does Mrs. Rodney offer to do with Grandfather?

5. What difficult request does Grandfather ask of Vicky and what is her reaction?

6. What happens between Adam and Vicky when they get back to the beach after playing with the dolphins?

7. What does Vicky not tell her siblings about a request her parents make of her?

8. What does Vicky not worry when she notices Rob is gone in the middle of the night, and what does she learn later from Rob?

9. What do John and Vicky discuss as they are star gazing?

10. Where does Vicky's family go for a picnic, and what does Vicky think about while they are there?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in this book. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "A Ring of Endless Light". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to handle the idea of death well? Why? Which ones struggle against death? Why? (Remember to consider non-human characters)

3. Trace and analyze the theme of family in the novel. Is Vicky's family a typical family? Are they idealized? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

1. What is foreshadowing? What incidences of foreshadowing are in "A Ring of Endless Light"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in "A Ring of Endless Light" including why you believe it is foreshadowing. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from the text of this story, and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Over the course of "A Ring of Endless Light", Vicky grows as a person in both complexity and understanding."A Ring of Endless Light" might be considered a slice of Vicky's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that this novel is a "bildungsroman" of one period in Vicky's life. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Vicky as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, older teen. What are the significant events that change Vicky?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Vicky's growth throughout "A Ring of Endless Light", do you think it could be considered a slice of Vicky's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "A Ring of Endless Light" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

(see the answer keys)

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