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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 train occupants do when it rains?

2. What does Ona ask the people on the train to do?

3. About what does Jonas worry while waiting for Elena?

4. Who is Miss Grybas?

5. What does Lina explain to the gray-haired man?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Lina recall about a shopping trip with her mother once?

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. What happens to Ona?

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

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

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

Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not? Does "Between Shades of Gray" have a happy ending? Discuss.

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Between Shades of Gray" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Between Shades of Gray" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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