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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. Who had kept Einar's father from flinging his infant body into the fire on the day of Einar's birth?

2. What object does Claire tell Einar she will throw from the top of the cliff to let him know she has succeeded?

3. What object does Claire use for her stair-stepping exercises?

4. What is NOT one of the signs listed among the signs that Alys's health is declining?

5. What reason does Claire give for refusing to leave the village by boat?

Short Essay Questions

1. What advice does Alys give to Tall Andras when he expresses a romantic interest in Claire?

2. What does Claire decide to do in order to regain her lost memories?

3. Though Alys is childless herself, what experience does she have that qualifies her for the care of Claire upon Claire's arrival in the village?

4. What is Trademaster's attitude toward Claire's longing for her son?

5. What elements of the job of fisherman make it dangerous for villagers who undertake the position?

6. For what element does Trademaster agree to trade Claire's son and what is the immediate result of the trade?

7. What exercises does Einar give Claire to do until the winter is over?

8. What does Alys tell Claire about the power of scent?

9. For what purpose does Claire venture out of her house on a winter day to seek out Einar?

10. What idea does Einar get after seeing Claire hold Bryn's baby?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the two maternal characters within the narrative: Alys of the village and Claire's female parental unit of the community. What is the author's message regarding motherhood?

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes in Western culture, volunteerism is looked at in terms of only helping those in need, but Lois Lowry's novel Son seems to put forth the proposition that service to others can also be a means to the provider's own personal happiness. Find examples within the novel Son that prove this conclusion regarding the author's message about service to others and discuss the message's overall effect on the reader.

Essay Topic 3

Trace the characterization arc of Claire's character throughout the novel.

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