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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 does Lina realize when her mother tells her to button her coat?

2. For what does Elena pay a woman in the hut?

3. What is a kolkhoz?

4. What do the soldiers want Elena to do?

5. About how big is the hut in which Lina the others live?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Lina, Elena and Mrs. Rimas relieve the stress of the camp?

2. What is Lina thinking about as the story opens?

3. Where are the prisoners and what does Lina remember about Stalin's agriculture policies?

4. Why are Ona and the bald man in danger and what do the others do?

5. What does Lina tell a gray-haired man about her drawing?

6. How often does the train stop and for what reason?

7. What does Elena say the soldiers wanted of her and how does Jonas react to the information?

8. Describe the arrest of Lina's family.

9. What does Lina remember about her artistic abilities?

10. Why does Elena rush her children and what is the mood when they get back on the truck?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Between Shades of Gray". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Between Shades of Gray". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "Between Shades of Gray". Consider the death of Ona's baby as an random act of nature and the death of Ona as the result of conscious violence. Consider also in your answer the death of innocence in Lina from the beginning of the book to the end.

Essay Topic 3

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

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Lina and Elena. 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 Elena and Andrius' mother. 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 Between Shades of Gray 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.

(see the answer keys)

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