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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. How does the young maiden die?

2. Where does the tailor go at the beginning of Chapter 8?

3. Where is the tailor told he can find the young maiden on the day she is to give birth?

4. Who does Elke work for?

5. What happens as the young maiden tries to help the tailor's leg in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Saskia have to do when her father becomes depressed?

2. Why doesn't the tailor invite Elke inside his house in Chapter 11?

3. What does Elke assume when the tailor keeps asking her questions about Saskia in Chapter 13?

4. What does the young maiden do when the tailor's leg becomes cramped in Chapter 3?

5. What happens when the tailor tries spinning with straw in Chapter 2?

6. What does Elke bring the tailor in Chapter 11?

7. What happens at the end of Chapter 4?

8. What is the young maiden concerned about in Chapter 1?

9. What classic story does "Spinners" borrow elements from?

10. How does Saskia's father help out in Chapter 10?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author of the novel, Donna Jo Napoli. What other works has she received recognition for? Is her work usually similarly-themed? Does she always write in the same genre?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the motif of love and romance in the novel. Who are some couples in love in the novel? Who marries for love? Who does not? What role does romantic love play in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the setting of the novel. In what way is the setting an important aspect of this story? How do the different settings in the novel contrast with one another?

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