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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 happens to the snow while Paul's secret becomes more apparent?

2. How old is Paul, as it is revealed in Part 2?

3. What does Paul's mother get for him to help with his new vagueness?

4. How does Paul describe his street in Part 2 of the story?

5. What shape are the stones balanced on top of the gateway posts?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is noticeably different in the tone and pace of Part 4?

2. What is interesting about the way Paul views the doctor and his parents, and how he chooses to acknowledge them?

3. How does Paul describe his shoes and the steps he is taking?

4. What is it that leads Paul to believe his secret is snow?

5. How does Paul feel about his parents in Part 1 in relation to his secret?

6. How is the origin of the secret revealed in Part 1?

7. How does Deirdre react to Paul's intelligence, and what does that symbolize?

8. How does the author describe the floor in Paul's room in the last part of the story?

9. What is Paul's thought process as he observes the gateway?

10. How does Paul speak to his mother in Part 4, and where does he get the words?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In an analysis of Paul's walk home from school in Part 2, provide answers to the following:

1) What are three examples of things that Paul sees, and how do they represent the character's state of mind?

2) How is the snow used to counter reality? Describe the way Paul views the snow in comparison to the real things he encounters.

3) What is his general impression of the outside world? How has it changed, and why?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the setting of the story and the total length of time that transpires during it. Explain why Aiken chose this setting and time, including examples from from the story to illustrate the ways they both enhance it.

Essay Topic 3

What is the snow's role in Paul's examination, and how does it appear different than it did earlier? What does the snow do for the first time in Part 3, and how does that display a severe problem for Paul? What effect does the snow have on Paul while he is being questioned, and what are the orders it gives him? What do they reveal?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 870 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample