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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 Ned and Mr. Scully watch in the yard through the window?

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

3. In what area of the country does Ned and his family live?

4. About what does Ned lie to his mama?

5. What does Ned imagine as he is walking back to the house at night?

Short Essay Questions

1. What confuses Ned about Mrs. Scallop?

2. What does Ned's uncle Hilary give Ned for his birthday and why is Ned's father upset?

3. What does Ned think Mr. Scully needs, and how does Ned feel about that?

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

5. Describe a couple things about Mr. Scully that makes him seem eccentric.

6. What does Ned's father instruct Ned about being a guest for supper at the Brewsters, and why does his father say that?

7. With whom do Ned and his father have Sunday dinner and what is served?

8. What is the first lie Ned has ever told his mama?

9. How does Mrs. Scallop upset Ned about his birth and what does his mother say about it?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way around. 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 One-Eyed Cat is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast Ned at the beginning of the novel to Ned at the end of the novel. How are they alike? How are they different? Are they both sympathetic characters? Which "Ned" would you most like to have as a friend? Why? Is each one believable? Why or why not.

2. Compare/contrast Evelyn at the beginning of the novel to Evelyn at the end of the novel. How are they alike? How are they different? Are they sympathetic characters? Who would you most likely have as a friend? Why? Is each one believable? Why or why not.

3. Compare/contrast Ned to Billy. How are they alike? How are they different? Are they sympathetic characters? Who would you most likely have as a friend? Why? Is each one believable? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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