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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. A community citizen is given his or her own dwelling only after what event occurs?

2. Of what actions does the funny face shared by Claire and her son consist?

3. In an attempt to make the family's least favorite meal sound more appealing, what does Claire's mother say every time it arrives?

4. When Claire shows up again at the Nurturing Center, what reason is she given for being turned away?

5. When a Newchild is showing signs of being ineligible for assignment, it is called a failure to do what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Claire's son's comfort item and what had hers been during her childhood?

2. For what reason are the Nurturers considering keeping Claire's son at the center for another year before assigning him to a parental unit?

3. What sets the birth of Claire's Product apart from those of the other Birthmothers in her dormitory?

4. Why is Claire so terrified when she is first told that she has been decertified as a Vessel?

5. What is the cause of Dimitri's disappointment at the results of the Ceremony?

6. How does Claire feel about her work at the Fish Hatchery?

7. Why does Jeanette, one of the Fish Hatchery workers, feel surprise when the name Paul is given to one of the Newchildren at the Ceremony?

8. What change does Claire see in Jonas between the time she sees him racing another boy on his bicycle and the time she sees him walking alone along the river?

9. What does one of the Vessels report it had felt like to cease taking the pills when she had been assigned the role of Birthmother?

10. What does Claire realize during breakfast one day when she sees the other Fish Hatchery workers cleaning up their tables and getting ready to begin work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often within literature, characters with disabilities are presented as being wholly innocent, good, and infallible. Lois Lowry does not fall prey to these generalities, instead depicting flaws and problems in the lives of both the abled and the disabled. Analyze the author's depiction of Einar, analyzing the characterization methods she uses to present his character and stating her purpose in doing so.

Essay Topic 2

The novel Son does not shy away from including disturbing details when describing the sexual abuse forced on Alys during her childhood or when explaining Trademaster's removal of parts of Einar's feet with an axe. Some may say that the harsh realities depicted in Lois Lowry's novel Son are too disturbing for a young audience. Write a persuasive essay in which you argue for or against the use of the novel Son in schools, and be sure to include several logical reasons with accompanying concrete details to support your claim.

Essay Topic 3

One of the genres the novel fits into is the coming-of-age genre. What are the author's main messages concerning adolescence and the process of growing up?

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