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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 the grouchy woman provide for the celebration?

2. What does Lina think of Andrius?

3. About what does the commander renege?

4. What does Lina do the next time she sees Andrius?

5. What is Trofimovsk?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the story behind the stone that Jonas gives Andrius?

2. Why are the prisoners waked in the middle of the night and what do they do?

3. What causes Lina to appreciate the risk that some take to get food for others?

4. Why do the soldiers pay no attention as the prisoners strip for a shower?

5. What does Elena reveal about Kretsky?

6. What happens to Kretsky when the prisoners arrive at some port?

7. What letter does Lina remember receiving once from Joana?

8. What does Lina wonder when an American ship arrives?

9. What has Hitler done in Lithuania, and what is the bald man's response to the action?

10. What does Lina learn from the bald man about their captivity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Between Shades of Gray" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Between Shades of Gray based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "Between Shades of Gray" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Between Shades of Gray" a successful novel? What about young teens?

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)

This section contains 1,064 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample