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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 number is associated with odd coincidences?

2. What does Petra imagine in the bath?

3. What are young people encourage to do in the "After" section?

4. What does Calder use as an way to look for large storage spaces?

5. What does Petra wonder about Ms. Hussey and Mrs. Sharpe?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when the thief's letter appears in newspapers around the world?

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

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

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

5. Why do Petra and Calder run out of Delia Dell Hall and what do they decide to do?

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

7. What do Calder and Petra wonder as they sit in Gracie Hall?

8. What does the letter from Tommy say and how do Petra and Calder help?

9. What do Petra and Calder learn on the evening news?

10. How do Petra and Calder manage to have access to some of the hidden areas of the school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes "Chasing Vermeer" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Calder. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Petra. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Mrs. Sharpe. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

4. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Ms. Hussey. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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