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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 second function do the students' desks serve?

2. Why does Bean have to move through the ventilation system naked?

3. How old does the kid appear to be that Poke sees on top of a garbage can?

4. What do some of the older kids do at the soup kitchen?

5. What is said about Achilles' leg?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Carlotta learn about Bean’s growth rate?

2. What does Bean do when introduced to his desk, and why does it do that?

3. Who does Helga Braun contact regarding Poke’s gang and what does that person do when she comes to see the gang?

4. How does Achilles help the younger children of Poke's crew get more to eat?

5. How does Carlotta learn more about Bean?

6. How does Bean discover that Achilles is a murderer?

7. What does Bean learn when he enters the ventilation system again and what does he decide to do?

8. What does Carlotta learn from Anton about Bean’s DNA?

9. How does Carlotta discover where Bean lived before being a member of Poke, and where did Bean live?

10. What does Dimak do with the new students when they first arrive on the Battle School?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Trace and analyze the theme of freedom in Ender’s Shadow. Consider the following questions as you write: Examine which characters are most concerned with freedom and about what their concern is centered. What are some symbols of freedom and of imprisonment? Discuss the characters who see themselves as "imprisoned" and what they think they need to be free.

Trace and analyze the theme of satisfaction with one’s life in Ender’s Shadow. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess be satisfied with their life and which are not? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels.

Compare/contrast the characters of Bean and Ender. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples. Compare/contrast the characters of Achilles and Nikolai. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

Essay Topic 3

Bean and Ender seem to come to a good working relationship although they have moments of confrontation.

Discuss Bean and Ender’s relationship. Would you call them friends? How does their relationship differ from what would be students in a normal school? Do you think Ender likes Bean? What about Bean liking Ender? Use examples from Ender’s Shadow to support your response.

(see the answer keys)

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