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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 the farm in danger?

2. What does Pa do with some barrels and wood from the hen house?

3. What does Adam think is unfair?

4. What has been filled by the evening at Adam's family farm?

5. How does Adam's Pa react to the wish Adam made?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. What happens when Polly becomes desperate?

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

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

7. 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?

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

9. What point of view is used in the Epilogue and who is the narrator?

10. What does Rowena hear about Adam at a party and what is her thought about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes "The Wish Giver" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Polly. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Rowena. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Adam. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "The Wish Giver". Questions that Brittain most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Brittain' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Brittain' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Brittain and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

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