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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 does Valencia learn about her name that she did not know before from the person who answers the door at Virgil's house in Chapter 29?

2. Where does Virgil tell the voice in the well he would like to travel to someday?

3. Who does Valencia like to pretend to be when she writes in her zoological diary?

4. What does Virgil become afraid of in Chapter 22 that comes from one of Lola's stories?

5. Who was the king in Lola's story who was only one inch tall that Virgil tells the voice in the well about in Chapter 27?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 25, who begins speaking to Virgil in the well, and why?

2. In Chapter 19, why does Roberta tell Valencia they cannot be friends any longer?

3. What happens to Chet in Chapter 30 when he actually does find a snake in the woods?

4. Why is Chet Bullens alarmed to see Valencia in the woods in Chapter 18?

5. What does Kaori decide to do in Chapter 23 when Virgil is quite late for his appointment with her?

6. In Chapter 29, what does Gen tell Valencia about Virgil that Valencia thinks is interesting and endearing?

7. In Chapter 29, why is Valencia nervous about knocking on Virgil's door for the first time?

8. In Chapter 19, why do Valencia's parents think she does not need to learn sign language?

9. What is one thing Lola says to Valencia when Valencia knocks on her door that endears her to Valencia?

10. In Chapter 21, what does Valencia notice that is different about the old well in the woods?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay comparing and contrasting the different types of pressures and expectations Virgil, Kaori, Chet, and Valencia feel from their parents throughout the book. Whose relationship with his or her parents seem to evolve the most significantly from the beginning of the book to the end?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 31, what significant choice does Valencia make that endears her to Kaori and makes Kaori realize Valencia might be a loyal and interesting friend to have? Write an essay explaining your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Which characters in the book suffer most from the condition of experiencing isolation? Write an essay explaining your answer, citing specific references to the text to support your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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