View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens when a man jumps off the truck?

2. What month do the soldiers come to Lina's home?

3. What conversation with her father does Lina recall?

4. How does Elena manage to keep Jonas with them?

5. What does Ona finally agree to do?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe the arrest of Lina's family.

4. What happens to Ona?

5. What are Elena, Lina and Jonas forced to do?

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

7. What upsets Lina about being told to shower but why is she happy?

8. What does Lina realize about her father's words about drawing?

9. What happens when Lina's family is first on the train?

10. Who does Lina recognize on the truck and what does one prisoner do and what happens to him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Between Shades of Gray", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Between Shades of Gray". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Between Shades of Gray" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Ruta Sepetys.

2. What in Sepetys's background may have helped her in writing "Between Shades of Gray"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,147 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample