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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 has the boat crossed when the prisoners start getting excited that they are going to America?

2. About what does the commander renege?

3. How is Andrius able to stay at the camp?

4. What is Trofimovsk?

5. What happens when Kretsky gets off the boat?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the prisoners have to do immediately when they arrive at Trofimovsk?

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

3. How do the others help Lina celebrate her sixteenth birthday?

4. What does Andrius say about his mother and why she is doing what she does?

5. How do the soldiers harass and frighten the women who have been digging a large hole?

6. Why are Lina, Elena, and Jonas quiet about the potatoes he brings home that night?

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

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

9. What do the prisoners learn about the Japanese and Hitler?

10. What event makes Lina and Elena decide to stop asking for extra food for Jonas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The fact that the priest is issuing last rites as the train pulls away from the station is a significant indication that others know what's happening to those on the train. This is another question that's asked repeatedly about the atrocities performed by Stalin and Hitler. Why didn't people object? There isn't an easy answer and this question, like the question of why so many went quietly to their deaths, is left to the reader to decide. Discuss the following;

1. How much power does an individual have to end atrocities such as that demonstrated in "Between Shades of Gray"?

2. What characters intervene in the misuse of power and how do they do so? What is the outcome?

3. Do individuals have a moral obligation to try to stop the misuse of power? What about in small ways, such as dealing with a bully?

4. Compare the misuse of power by a dictator to that by a school bully. How are they alike? Different? Is it likely a dictator was a bully as a young person?

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

At one point, Lina expresses her hatred for Kretsky and her mother's reaction is immediate and painful. She grabs Lina by the arm and tells her to stop judging him. Elena says that Kretsky is "just a boy," and that no one knows what he's going through. The doctor who insists the soldiers take care of Lina and the others is able to make the demands because the soldiers are dependent on him to give the camp his approval. He makes it clear he won't do that unless they abide by his demands. Kretsky was likely punished or even killed for having alerted the doctor to the situation. His fate is not revealed. Discuss the following:

1. Is Elena's ability to not judge a matter of wisdom acquired with age, or do you think she is naturally a compassionate human being? Do you think Lina learns the lesson her mother offers about not being judgmental?

2. Does any person have the right to judge another? How does one know all the details of the other person's life enough to judge that person? Relate your answer to incidents in Between Shades of Gray.

3. There is a quote from the Christian texts that says, "Judge not lest you be judged yourself." Discuss what you think that may mean.

(see the answer keys)

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