View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Adam dig for his mother's garden?

2. Upon whom has Rowena come to rely?

3. What does Rowena mutter when Adam sits behind her in class?

4. What is the situation when Adam wakes the next morning?

5. What does Adam notice at four neighboring farms?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sam say he's been doing in the library and with what result?

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

3. What surprises Adam and his mother?

4. How do the three young people turn out?

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

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

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

8. How does Rowena learn the truth about Henry's actions to her when he would visit Rowena's pa?

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

10. What does Rowena tell Henry and Sam and what is Henry's response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Bill Brittain.

2. What in Brittain's background may have helped him in writing "The Wish Maker"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in "The Wish Maker"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in "The Wish Giver" including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "The Wish Giver" and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "The Wish Giver" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "The Wish Giver" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider The Wish Giver a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 992 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample