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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. Where does the truck go from Lina's house?

2. What does Lina recall about doing once with her mother?

3. For what does the train stop?

4. Who does Elena ignore?

5. How does the bald man feel about the news about Germany?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. How does Lina's quick thinking help her mother?

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

7. What does Lina notice as the train is pulling away from the station?

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

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

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

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 2

Characters are an important part of what makes "Between Shades of Gray" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Lina. What are her strengths? Weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Kretsky. What are his strengths? Weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Elena. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Over the course of "Between Shades of Gray", Lina grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Between Shades of Gray might be considered a slice of Lina Vilka's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that Between Shades of Gray is a "bildungsroman" of Lina. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Lina as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, young woman. What are the significant events that change Lina?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Lina's growth throughout "Between Shades of Gray", do you think "Between Shades of Gray" could be considered Lina's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Between Shades of Gray" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

(see the answer keys)

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