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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 book does Vicky's grandfather bring out to help settle an argument?

2. What do the siblings decide to do about the swallow problem?

3. Why is Vicki's grandfather officiating?

4. With what does John work?

5. Who is Leo?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the dolphins break Vicky out of the deep hole she was in?

2. What are Vicky's thoughts about Suzy and what is Adam's response?

3. What is the concern about the swallows and how do Vicky and her siblings solve the problem?

4. Describe the unsettling conversation between Suzy and Vicky.

5. What does Vicky learn about how Zachary's mother died?

6. Whose funeral is Vicky attending, and what happened to the man?

7. What dolphins are in the dolphin birthing pen and why are they there?

8. What do Vicky and Adam do with the dolphins and how does Adam feel about it?

9. Who is Adam and what does he ask Vicky at Commander Rodney's wake?

10. Why does Vicky get angry with Zachary when they are driving to the airport?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "A Ring of Endless Light" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

"A Ring of Endless Light" belongs to the young adult novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young adult novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young adult novel and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "A Ring of Endless Light"--questions that L'Engle most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the L'Engle's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss L'Engle's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of L'Engle and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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