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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 everyone bring to the Christmas Eve celebration?

2. When are the prisoners allowed to gather wood and other materials for their camp?

3. What does Janina tell the bald man?

4. Why does Elena think Kretsky was assigned to go with them to Siberia?

5. How does Mr. Stalas act toward Lina?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kretsky show his humanity after they have frightened the women?

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

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

4. Describe the encounter between Kretsky and Lina at the wood pile.

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

6. What does Lina steal and how does she explain it to Andrius?

7. What does Lina observe about Andrius' mother when Lina slips away after eating her potato that Jonas brought?

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

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

10. How do the soldiers thrown out into the snow one day when Lina and Jonas are going to the kitchen and why do they eat the food immediately?

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

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Between Shades of Gray". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Sepetys chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Sepetys chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Sepetys's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliff hangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Sepetys use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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