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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 is missing from the yard at Mr. Scully's house?

2. Where does Ned find Mr. Scully one day?

3. What type of arthritis does Mama have?

4. Who arrives where Ned is sitting?

5. Where does Ned go to visit?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Who does Ned meet at Mr. Scully's house one day after Mr. Scully is gone and what does she tell him?

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

5. What are Uncle Hilary's newest plans as outlined in a letter the Willis family receives?

6. With whom does Ned get into a fight and why?

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

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

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

10. What does Ned do for Janet that shows his kind nature?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of change in "One-Eyed Cat". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with change? Why? What are some symbols of change? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem to change the most? The least?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of helplessness/physical illness in "One-Eyed Cat". Which characters have physical infirmities that limit their lives? Who overcomes physical problems? Who does not? How much impact does Ned's mother's illness have on Ned's life?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death. What kinds of death are there (i.e., physical death, death of a cherished notion; death of a relationship)? How does Ned react to the possible death of the "One-Eyed Cat" when it seems sick? Why do you think he reacts that way? How does Ned react to the death of Mr. Scully? Why does he react that way?

Essay Topic 2

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 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?

(see the answer keys)

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