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

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does the snow tell Paul that it will be waiting for him?

2. In what way does the light fall into the front of Paul's room?

3. What is Paul staring at while the doctor questions him?

4. What are the minds of his parents bound to, according to Paul?

5. How does Paul view the doctor's questions?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the confusion Paul experiences on his way home from school, what causes it, and why it happens close to his own house. What does the confusion cause him to wonder about? How does it make him more anxious and impatient? What does the confusion actually represent, and why is it important to the character's state of mind?

Essay Topic 2

Aiken keeps the reader's attention through flowing lines and poetic descriptions. Analyze his writing style, including examples of its effectiveness and why it works so well with this particular story. Also, describe how the style changes with the tone and pace of the story.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the origin of Paul's secret, explaining each part of it in detail and why it is significant. Also, explain any metaphors the author uses to portray the impact of the events leading up to Paul's discovery.

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This section contains 235 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample