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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 Petra find where he has been left behind?

2. Where do Petra and Calder see Mrs. Sharpe again?

3. Where do Petra and the security guard go?

4. What does Petra feel about her thoughts the next morning?

5. What does Petra imagine in the bath?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Petra and Calder not read the letter from Mrs. Sharpe to Ms. Hussey?

2. Why is Petra nervous in Delia Dell Hall?

3. Where does Petra find Calder and the painting?

4. How does Calder find "The Lady Waiting"?

5. What is significant about the number twelve?

6. What happens to "The Lady Waiting" and how does the National Gallery respond to part of the thief's demands?

7. What happens to Ms. Hussey in Chapter Fifteen?

8. What does Petra find near Mrs. Sharpe's home?

9. Where does Calder manage to be left behind and what does he find?

10. How does Calder manage to search Mrs. Sharpe's house, and what does he find?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sometimes a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and sometimes it is 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 "Chasing Vermeer" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

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 "Chasing Vermeer" 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 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Chasing Vermeer" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Chasing Vermeer" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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