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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. What is happening to the ceiling when Adam wakes?

2. What is Pa trying to keep safe?

3. What do Stew Meat, Adam, Polly and Rowena realize?

4. What happens when Adam and Pa load the cookstove to take it away from the valley?

5. Who is the first person narrator in the Epilogue?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Adam's ma tell him when he goes down to breakfast?

2. What does Adam's father say about Uncle Poot and what is Adam's response?

3. Why does Adam's pa make a raft and what do they do with the raft?

4. What does Stew Meat realize and what does he do?

5. What does Sam bring back for Henry and what does he say when Rowena tells Sam about what Henry said to her?

6. What does Adam promise his mother and what does this promise prompt Adam to do?

7. How do the three young people turn out?

8. What does Adam hear about the well on his family's farm and what does he suggest to his pa about the situation?

9. What will happen eventually if the water does not stop flowing?

10. What does Stew Meat say happens just as he is closing his store?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An element common to all three stories continues to manifest. This is the idea that in each story, characters with negative attributes are clearly and vividly contrasted with characters who have opposite, more positive attributes.

1. Who is the positive character(s) who are contrasted to Polly's character? Discuss how they contrast and what Polly might be able to learn from that character(s).

2. Who is the positive character(s) who are contrasted to Rowena's character? Discuss how they contrast and what Polly might be able to learn from that character(s).

3. Who is the positive character(s) who are contrasted to Adam's character? Discuss how they contrast and what Polly might be able to learn from that character(s).

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "The Wish Giver" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "The Wish Giver"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "The Wish Giver" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "The Wish Giver". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "The Wish Giver". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of impulsive behavior in "The Wish Giver". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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