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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 a man with a foreign accent do?

2. Where do Petra and Calder wonder if the painting could be?

3. Who does Mrs. Sharpe know who was murdered?

4. What do Calder and Petra discuss on their walk to school?

5. Where is Calder caught?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What is significant about the number twelve?

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

9. What occurs on the visit Petra and Calder make to the hospital to visit Mrs. Sharpe?

10. What does Petra think about as she is reviewing what happened at Delia Dell?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Chasing Vermeer". 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 Balliett chooses the symbols he 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 Balliett chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Balliett's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Balliett 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 2

Pentominoes are very important to the plot and the thought processes of the main characters in this book, so this description of Pentominoes is very important to the reader. The story takes place in Hyde Park near the University of Chicago, focusing around an educational model in which children are given school assignments that are relevant to real life.

1. Do you think school which teaches material relevant to real life are better than those that do not? Why or why not? Use examples from "Chasing Vermeer" and your own life to support your answer.

2. How do you think pentominoes can affect a person's thought process? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think knowing how to find and answer is more important than memorizing data? Why or why not? Use examples from "Chasing Vermeer" and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Chasing Vermeer". Questions that Balliett most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Balliett's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Balliett's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Balliett and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

(see the answer keys)

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