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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. Why is Rowena unable to go anywhere?

2. What is Henry's condition when Rowena checks on him after getting home?

3. What does Rowena wonder about Polly?

4. What do Adam and his father do with the excess water?

5. Upon whom has Rowena come to rely?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Henry when Rowena returns from the party?

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

3. What does Rowena suggest looking for and what does Sam say about that?

4. What does Adam hear as he is going to bed and what does his pa say about it?

5. What does Adam start doing for his mother and how does he frighten himself?

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

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

8. What does Sam say about Henry's stories?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and often times the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think The Wish Giveris? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "The Wish Giver" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Wish Giver is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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).

(see the answer keys)

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