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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's father give Lina?

2. Why do they wait for hours at their next stop?

3. What does Elena learn about Germany?

4. What does a guard do to quiet Ona?

5. What do the women do to relieve stress?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Lina and Elena do on their first day?

2. What happens to Ona?

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

4. What does the bald man say about Hitler, and what does Lina think about it?

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

6. How do they dispose of Ona's baby's body?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,140 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample