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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. Where do Petra and the security guard go?

2. Why do Petra and Calder go to Fargo Hall?

3. How do Petra and Calder rethink their estimate of the thief?

4. How many dollars was the thief going to get for the Vermeer painting?

5. What does Tommy's latest letter to Calder say?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Petra and Calder not read the letter from Mrs. Sharpe to Ms. Hussey?

2. What happens to Ms. Hussey in Chapter Fifteen?

3. What do Calder and Petra wonder as they sit in Gracie Hall?

4. What happens when Petra enters her kitchen the next morning?

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

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

7. How do Petra and Calder manage to have access to some of the hidden areas of the school?

8. How does Calder manage to search Mrs. Sharpe's house, and what does he find?

9. What occurs on the visit Petra and Calder make to the hospital to visit Mrs. Sharpe?

10. What does Petra find near Mrs. Sharpe's home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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).

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Chasing Vermeer belongs to the young teen novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young teen novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young teen novel and a historical novel?

(see the answer keys)

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