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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. How are people paying attention to Polly?

2. What does Rowena suggest to her mother?

3. Who is Sam Waxman?

4. What does Rowena take Henry for breakfast?

5. Why does Rowena fetch a horse blanket?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Stew Meat do with his card?

2. What does Rowena do with her card and what does she notice on her calendar?

3. Why is narrator the best person to be narrating the story?

4. What does Polly worry about the next morning and how is she initially reassured?

5. What does Rowena take Henry for breakfast and how does he like it?

6. For whom is this book written and what is it about?

7. What does Rowena do when she goes upstairs after her mother says no to Henry staying there?

8. Why does Polly go ahead and ask her mother and what is her mother's response?

9. How does Polly impress her teacher?

10. Describe the discussion about Eunice and Agatha.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Rick and Lon. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Lon and Nuke. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "The Wish Giver" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

An element common to all three stories continues to manifest. This is the idea that in each story, characters with negative attributes are clearly and vividly contrasted with characters who have opposite, more positive attributes.

1. Who is the positive character(s) who are contrasted to Polly's character? Discuss how they contrast and what Polly might be able to learn from that character(s).

2. Who is the positive character(s) who are contrasted to Rowena's character? Discuss how they contrast and what Polly might be able to learn from that character(s).

3. Who is the positive character(s) who are contrasted to Adam's character? Discuss how they contrast and what Polly might be able to learn from that character(s).

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "The Wish Giver" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Wish Giver is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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