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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. In what month does the book open?

2. What does Calder wish about Vermeer and Fort?

3. What does Petra ask Calder to explain?

4. What does Petra find at her home?

5. Why is Petra embarrassed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the author challenge the reader to do concerning the artwork and why?

2. How are clues related to the story?

3. What do Petra and Calder do additional study on and what does Petra learn about the woman in her dream?

4. What is wrong with Ms. Hussey and what do Caler and Petra think about all the problems?

5. What is given to three people on a warm, October night and what have the three chosen to do?

6. What is Petra's father upset about and what is Petra's response?

7. What sort of books has Ms. Hussey chosen in Powell's Bookstore?

8. What does the letter from Tommy say, and what is Calder's thoughts about the letter?

9. What is Ms. Hussey teaching her students, and where is she teaching?

10. What does the letter published by the Chicago Tribune state?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

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

2. Analyze and discuss "Chasing Vermeer" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "Chasing Vermeer" 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 teens? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Chasing Vermeer" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Chasing Vermeer", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Chasing Vermeer". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Chasing Vermeer belongs to the young teen novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young teen novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young teen novel and a historical novel?

(see the answer keys)

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