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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 do the soldiers want Elena to do?

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

3. How many people does Lina count in the train car?

4. What is Ona like when she undresses?

5. Who is Miss Grybas?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lina remember about her artistic abilities?

2. Who introduces himself and what does he say about his father?

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

4. What does Lina's father say to Lina?

5. Before the train leaves, does Andrius do and who goes with him?

6. Where do the prisoners arrive and where is Lina's family assigned?

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

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

9. What happens in Vilnius?

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

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 "Between Shades of Gray"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in "Between Shades of Gray" including why you believe it is foreshadowing. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate what you think foreshadowing is and how it appears in the book and in your own life.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "Between Shades of Gray" and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Between Shades of Gray". Questions that Sepetys 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 Sepetys' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Sepetys' 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 Sepetys and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

(see the answer keys)

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