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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 happens one day when Lina is sent off the train?

2. Why does Andrius pull Jonas away?

3. What are they forced to do?

4. What are they told when the truck stops?

5. What does Lina realize the priest is doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lina notice as the train is pulling away from the station?

2. Describe the arrest of Lina's family.

3. What does Lina recall about a shopping trip with her mother once?

4. How do Lina, Elena and Mrs. Rimas relieve the stress of the camp?

5. How often does the train stop and for what reason?

6. Where do the prisoners arrive and where is Lina's family assigned?

7. Why are Ona and the bald man in danger and what do the others do?

8. What does Lina keep from her mother about Kostas?

9. What does Elena say the soldiers wanted of her and how does Jonas react to the information?

10. What happens when Lina's family is first on the train?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of "Between Shades of Gray", Lina grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Between Shades of Gray might be considered a slice of Lina Vilka's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that Between Shades of Gray is a "bildungsroman" of Lina. 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 Lina as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, young woman. What are the significant events that change Lina?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Lina's growth throughout "Between Shades of Gray", do you think "Between Shades of Gray" could be considered Lina's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Between Shades of Gray" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 2

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? Does "Between Shades of Gray" have a happy ending? Discuss.

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Between Shades of Gray" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Between Shades of Gray" 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?

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Ruta Sepetys.

2. What in Sepetys's background may have helped her in writing "Between Shades of Gray"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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