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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 do many people lose during the Great Depression?

2. What does Ned lose interest in after using it once?

3. What are many of the homes like near where Ned lives?

4. Where does Ned and his father visit a parishioner years before?

5. When does James say Ned can have his present?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Mr. Scully's relationship like with his daughter Doris?

2. What disconcerting statement does Mrs. Scallop say about Ned's birthday candles and what does she give Ned for his birthday?

3. What animal do Ned and Mr. Scully watch from the window and what does Ned do for the animal?

4. How does Ned feel about having a meal with a family in his father's congregation?

5. What is the date and location of the setting for "One-Eyed Cat", and what is the significance of the time period?

6. What does Ned's mama give Ned for his birthday and what embarrasses Ned after a question she asks him?

7. What does Ned do in the night after his parents and Uncle Hilary have gone to bed?

8. What impression does Ned receive on his way back from shooting the rifle and of what does that remind Ned?

9. What do Ned and his friends discuss on the way to school and how does Ned make Evelyn feel a little flustered?

10. Where was Ned's favorite place to walk when he was very young?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "One-Eyed Cat" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "One-Eyed Cat"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "One-Eyed Cat" to discuss and compare Ned's or some other character's response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Ned is an only child, as contrasted to his friend, Evelyn Kimball, who has several siblings. Discuss the following:

1. Research the theory of how birth order impacts the personality development of a person. Relate your research to Ned's life and personality in "One-Eyed Cat".

2. Compare/contrast Evelyn Kimball to Ned as regard their birth order and the number of siblings they each have (or do not have). Do you think the differences between the two characters can be partially accounted for because of their birth order and/or number of children in their families? Explain fully.

3. Write an essay comparing your personality to that of Ned's and theorize as to whether you think the similarities and/or differences of your birth orders and sibling numbers have anything to do with your similarities and/or differences.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation that the person Ned first confesses to about the air rifle is someone who cannot talk. What other irony can you find in "One-Eyed Cat"? Do you think irony enhances the book? Why or why not.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from this book. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in "One-Eyed Cat" and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible devices: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

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