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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 Ned and his father eat supper on the Sunday before Ned's birthday?

2. What are many of the homes like near where Ned lives?

3. What does James Wallis tell his son to refrain from when at the Brewster's home?

4. What does Mrs. Scallop sometimes lapse into?

5. Who are Evelyn Kimball, Janet Hoffman, and Billy Gaskell?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mrs. Scallop upset Ned about his birth and what does his mother say about it?

2. Describe a couple things about Mr. Scully that makes him seem eccentric.

3. Where was Ned's favorite place to walk when he was very young?

4. What do Ned and his friends discuss on the way to school and how does Ned make Evelyn feel a little flustered?

5. Describe Ned Wallis.

6. What impression does Ned receive on his way back from shooting the rifle and of what does that remind Ned?

7. What is the first lie Ned has ever told his mama?

8. What does Ned do in the night after his parents and Uncle Hilary have gone to bed?

9. What does Ned's father instruct Ned about being a guest for supper at the Brewsters, and why does his father say that?

10. Who is the current housekeeper in the Wallis family and how does Ned feel about having a housekeeper?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast Ned at the beginning of the novel to Ned at the end of the novel. How are they alike? How are they different? Are they both sympathetic characters? Which "Ned" would you most like to have as a friend? Why? Is each one believable? Why or why not.

2. Compare/contrast Evelyn at the beginning of the novel to Evelyn at the end of the novel. How are they alike? How are they different? Are they sympathetic characters? Who would you most likely have as a friend? Why? Is each one believable? Why or why not.

3. Compare/contrast Ned to Billy. How are they alike? How are they different? Are they sympathetic characters? Who would you most likely have as a friend? Why? Is each one believable? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Many events that happen later in "One-Eyed Cat" are foreshadowed by previous events and/or signs in an earlier section of the book. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "foreshadow."

2. Why would an author use foreshadowing? Do you think it adds or detracts from your experience as a reader? Explain.

3. Trace and analyze three instances of foreshadowing in the book. Match up what is mentioned earlier and what it foreshadows. Did you guess that each instance of foreshadowing was a "heads up" of something to come? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

1. Research the history of the United States during the Depression era, which is the setting for "One-Eyed Cat". Write a summary of what you learn that you think is relevant to understanding the life of Ned, his family and friends.

2. Research the setting of the Hudson River Valley. Compare/contrast life in the Hudson River Valley of the 1930s with that of the first decade of the 21st century.

3. Do you believe it makes for a more sophisticated and enjoyable reading of a book such as "One-Eyed Cat" to understand the basic cultural forces at play in the book? Explain fully with examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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