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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 interrupts the people's celebration?

2. What does one of the men insist is happening to the prisoners?

3. What does Lina wonder about the visitors?

4. How does Mr. Stalas act toward Lina?

5. What does Jonas have that they try to keep from the Altai woman?

Short Essay Questions

1. What letter does Lina remember receiving once from Joana?

2. What does Elena reveal about Kretsky?

3. What does Lina wonder when an American ship arrives?

4. Describe the encounter between Kretsky and Lina at the wood pile.

5. How do the others help Lina celebrate her sixteenth birthday?

6. What news does Mrs. Rimas recieve in a letter and how is it coded?

7. What event makes Lina and Elena decide to stop asking for extra food for Jonas?

8. What do the prisoners learn about the Japanese and Hitler?

9. Describe the Christmas celebration.

10. What happens to Kretsky when the prisoners arrive at some port?

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 "Between Shades of Gray". 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 Sepetys chooses the symbols she 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 Sepetys chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Sepetys's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliff hangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Sepetys 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

Looking back on the fact that Kretsky had helped her out of the hole when Lina believed she was about to be killed and looking forward to Kretsky's later actions, it seems more likely that Kretsky realized Lina was in danger from the other two soldiers. Lina is fifteen and is probably an attractive young woman, despite the hardships she's faced. Rape is likely very common and it seems that Kretsky was probably anxious to take the soldier's minds off Lina as an attractive young woman. Though she doesn't see it, Kretsky hates his role in the situation. Discuss the following:

1. What would happen if Kretsky spoke out even more strongly through his actions and words, about the way prisoners are treated?

2. Does Kretsky have a choice in his role in the prisoners lives?

3. Is the threat of death (assuming Kretsy would be killed if he disobeys and order or speaks out against the abuse of prisoners) a valid reason for continuing in a position of abuse?

4. Is Kretsky's small ways of trying to make it up to the prisoners redemptive for Kretsky?

(see the answer keys)

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