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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. Who broke her leg?

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

4. What question is asked concerning both Ms. Hussey and Mrs. Sharpe?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What hypothetical question does Ms. Hussey ask the Calder and Petra and what is their response?

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

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

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

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

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

7. What is significant about the number twelve?

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

9. Why is Petra nervous in Delia Dell Hall?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of art appreciation in "Chasing Vermeer". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of coincidences in life. What kinds of coincidences occur in "Chasing Vermeer"? Are any of the coincidences similar to those that occur in real life or do they seem to be narrative contrivances?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of education. What seems to be the opinion of the author about education? How is education presented in this book? What characters are involved in education? What theme about education is expressed?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Calder plays with his pentominoes in his room; they help him think. He is contemplating the assignment given by Ms. Hussey. What is art? To him art is something puzzling. Calder researches Vermeer and notices that he uses the same objects in many of his paintings. He also wonders if there is any hidden information in his paintings.

1. Why do you think Calder might think art is puzzling? Use examples from "Chasing Vermeer" and your own life to support your answer.

2. It is logical that Vermeer might use the same objects in many of his paintings. Explain why this might be true. Use examples from "Chasing Vermeer" and your own life to support your answer.

3. What do think Calder means when he wonders if Vermeer's art has hidden information in it? Use examples from the book and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,104 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample