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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. About what do Leland and Lenora question Polly?

2. How does Polly react to Leland and Lenora's label?

3. What does Polly's mother do when Polly gets home?

4. What does Polly decide at first not to do?

5. What does Mrs. Jerivs insist that Rowena do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Polly worry about the next morning and how is she initially reassured?

2. What types of people have sometimes come through Coven Tree and who is one such person the narrator mentions?

3. What does Rowena hear in the woods and what does she find?

4. What happens when Polly starts complaining to her mother the next morning about the burned toast?

5. Why is Polly polite to everyone the next day at school?

6. What does Rowena take Henry for breakfast and how does he like it?

7. What does Rowena do with her card and what does she notice on her calendar?

8. How does Polly react to Leland's shout scaring the frog and what do the twins do?

9. What happens to Polly at recess and how do Leland and Lenora help her?

10. How does Sam react to hearing Henry Piper's name?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "The Wish Giver". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Brittain chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Brittain chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Brittain's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Brittain use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Rick and Lon. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Lon and Nuke. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "The Wish Giver" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "The Wish Giver" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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