View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. About what does Ned ask Mrs. Kinball?

2. What does Papa notice when he and Ned are trimming the Christmas tree?

3. To whom does Ned apologize?

4. How does Ned believe Mr. Scully responds to Ned's confession?

5. What does Nurse Clay tell Ned?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ned's father notice as Ned and he are trimming the Christmas tree and what happens?

2. Where does Ned go one moonlit night and who follows him?

3. What happens when Ned goes to visit Mr. Scully again?

4. How does the fight end?

5. What do Ned and his mother see playing by the light of the moon and then what arrives?

6. What does Ned learn from Mama about Mrs. Scallop and Mr. Scully?

7. Why does Ned stop at Mr. Scully's house and what does he find?

8. About what does Ned open up and talk to his mama?

9. What does Ned bring down from the attic and what is inside it?

10. What will Mr. Willis start doing for Mr. Scully and why?

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,045 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample