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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 do Adam, Polly and Rowena want when the come into Stew Meat's store?

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

3. Who is Uncle Poot?

4. What does Sam offer to do?

5. Who suggests pulling up the weeds growing around Henry?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do the three young people turn out?

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

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

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

6. What happens when Adam tries the dowsing stick a few times and what is his mother's response to what he tells her about it?

7. What greets Adam when he wakes the next morning?

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

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

10. What does one of the townspeople who come to see what is happening at Adam's family's farm say that causes Adam to feel guilty?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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