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

2. Why hypothetical situation does Ms. Hussey put to Calder and Petra?

3. What does Mrs. Sharpe give Petra and Calder?

4. Where is Calder caught?

5. Why do Petra and Calder go to Fargo Hall?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How is Ms. Hussey's class metamorphosing?

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

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

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

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

8. Where does Petra find Calder and the painting?

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

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

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 2

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 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Chasing Vermeer".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Chasing Vermeer". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Chasing Vermeer". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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