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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 is published the next day?

2. Where does Calder purposely get left behind?

3. What is does Petra and Calder think Petra has found?

4. What location at the school do Calder and Petra think is more interesting than King Hall?

5. Why do Petra and Calder hold a bake sale?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Petra think about as she is reviewing what happened at Delia Dell?

2. What happens when the thief's letter appears in newspapers around the world?

3. Why do Petra and Calder run out of Delia Dell Hall and what do they decide to do?

4. What happens when Petra and Calder have tea with Mrs. Sharpe?

5. What happens to "The Lady Waiting" and how does the National Gallery respond to part of the thief's demands?

6. What hypothetical question does Ms. Hussey ask the Calder and Petra and what is their response?

7. Where does Calder manage to be left behind and what does he find?

8. Who do Petra and Calder see on their way to school and what does she give them?

9. Where does Petra find Calder and the painting?

10. How is Ms. Hussey's class metamorphosing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Chasing Vermeer" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "Chasing Vermeer" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young teens? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Chasing Vermeer" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 2

Sometimes a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and sometimes it is the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Chasing Vermeer" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Chasing Vermeer". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Balliett chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Balliett chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Balliett's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Balliett use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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