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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 say when she signs the drawing?

2. What are the men in one car doing?

3. What does Lina's father give Lina?

4. What is a kolkhoz?

5. To what summer program did Lina once apply for entrance?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Lina tell a gray-haired man about her drawing?

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

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

7. What does Lina remember about her artistic abilities?

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

9. Where does the truck go after Lina's family is on it and why does it go there?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Between Shades of Gray is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Between Shades of Gray" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Between Shades of Gray"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Between Shades of Gray" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

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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