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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 most interests Calder?

2. What does Petra ask Calder to explain?

3. What is delivered to three different people?

4. What is in Petra's hair on the way to school the next morning?

5. Who does Calder think he and Petra should call?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does a set of pentominoes work?

2. What about Petra's Halloween outfit is familiar to Calder and what shocks Petra about something she sees in a book about Vermeer?

3. What is Ms. Hussey's assignment, and what is Calder's first response to the assignment?

4. Who are Calder and Petra, and how do they differ?

5. To what does the author compare pentominoes?

6. What do Petra and Calder learn about the Lady and what do they decide to do?

7. Where can the reader find the answers to the clues given in the art work?

8. What book do Calder and Petra study after school, and what do they wonder about the first owner of the book?

9. How does Petra obtain the book called "Lo!"?

10. What does the author challenge the reader to do concerning the artwork and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Calder plays with his pentominoes in his room; they help him think. He is contemplating the assignment given by Ms. Hussey. What is art? To him art is something puzzling. Calder researches Vermeer and notices that he uses the same objects in many of his paintings. He also wonders if there is any hidden information in his paintings.

1. Why do you think Calder might think art is puzzling? Use examples from "Chasing Vermeer" and your own life to support your answer.

2. It is logical that Vermeer might use the same objects in many of his paintings. Explain why this might be true. Use examples from "Chasing Vermeer" and your own life to support your answer.

3. What do think Calder means when he wonders if Vermeer's art has hidden information in it? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 "Chasing Vermeer" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Chasing Vermeer" 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

The art information given in Chapter 3 encourages young readers to be interested in art and its connection to literature. This chapter is an example of teaching across curriculum and how various school subjects are related. Ms. Hussey gives the students a quote by Picasso regarding how are tells a lie but also tells the truth.

1. Discuss the ways in which art and history are connected. Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

2. Explain what is meant by teaching across curriculum. Use examples from "Chasing Vermeer" and your own life to support your answer.

3. Choose one of the following pairs of school subjects and explain, in detail, how they are connected in real life. Math/English; Science/History; Art/Social Studies or Math/Music.

(see the answer keys)

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