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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. Where do Ned and his father eat supper on the Sunday before Ned's birthday?

2. Who is Mrs. Scallop?

3. What does Ned decide about Charleston?

4. What does Doris send Mr. Scully about once a month?

5. What does Ned leave out on the porch at Mr. Scully's?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the Wallis family gather downstairs during the night?

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

3. How does Ned think his father would react if he knew about Ned taking the rifle out late at night and shooting it, contrary to Mr. Willis' orders?

4. Where does Uncle Hilary want to take Ned over Christmas vacation and how does Ned initially feel about the idea?

5. Briefly describe Evie Kimball and her family.

6. What confuses Ned about Mrs. Scallop?

7. Who is the current housekeeper in the Wallis family and how does Ned feel about having a housekeeper?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of the story, Ned grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "One-Eyed Cat" might be considered a slice of Ned's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that the story is a "bildungsroman" of Ned Willis. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Ned as he changes from a carefree, innocent boy to a sadder, but wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Ned?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Ned's growth throughout the book, do you think "One-Eyed Cat" could be considered Ned's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "One-Eyed Cat" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Ned is eleven throughout much of the novel. Discuss the following:

1. What are some ways that Ned seems like an average eleven year old? Give examples and why you say his activities are average teen activities.

2. What are some ways that Ned seems older than his age of 11? Give specific examples and discuss whether they seem consistent with the character of Nest as she is developed throughout the book.

3. Research the activities of young teens during the era of the 1930s and compare/contrast it with that of young teens in the present. Does life for a teen in the 1930s seem significantly different? How so? How would you have liked to live as a teen in the 1930s? Explain fully using examples from your research.

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