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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 connections do Petra and Calder try to make?

2. How does author say "Chasing Vemeer" is related to pentominoes?

3. About what do Petra and Calder worry?

4. Why was University School started?

5. What does Calder learn when he researches Vermeer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Petra begin looking for, and does she find it at home?

2. What sort of books has Ms. Hussey chosen in Powell's Bookstore?

3. How do Petra and Calder's families differ?

4. What do Petra and Calder do to try to make sense of everything that's been happening?

5. Why is the University School founded, and how what Ms. Hussey think of this?

6. How do the students respond to the quote by Picasso, and who is especially intrigued by it?

7. Who are Calder and Petra, and how do they differ?

8. What helps Calder think and what is he thinking about as he sits in his room?

9. What do Petra and Calder do additional study on and what does Petra learn about the woman in her dream?

10. What is Ms. Hussey's assignment, and what is Calder's first response to the assignment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in "Chasing Vermeer"? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in "Chasing Vermeer" including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from the book and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Calder plays with his pentominoes in his room; they help him think. He is contemplating the assignment given by Ms. Hussey. What is art? To him art is something puzzling. Calder researches Vermeer and notices that he uses the same objects in many of his paintings. He also wonders if there is any hidden information in his paintings.

1. Why do you think Calder might think art is puzzling? Use examples from "Chasing Vermeer" and your own life to support your answer.

2. It is logical that Vermeer might use the same objects in many of his paintings. Explain why this might be true. Use examples from "Chasing Vermeer" and your own life to support your answer.

3. What do think Calder means when he wonders if Vermeer's art has hidden information in it? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Chasing Vermeer". 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 Balliett chooses the symbols he 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 Balliett chooses the metaphors she does?

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

(see the answer keys)

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