Chasing Vermeer- Comprehension – Flashcards
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Describe Calder
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Calder is an only child who considers himself a "problem solver. He mutters to himself and "always looks like he just woke up." He is quiet and shy.
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Describe Petra
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Petra is shy, shaped like a lima bean and wears thick glasses. She has 4 younger siblings. Her hair makes her look "like an Egyptian Queen."
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Describe Ms. Hussey.
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Ms. Hussey has a long pony tail, and 3 rings in each ear. She is Petra and Calder's teacher.
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Describe Mrs. Sharpe.
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Mrs. Sharpe has unusual green eyes surrounded by a sea of wrinkles. She has a stern demeanor and speaks in "an icy voice" when angry. She likes to read.
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Who are the three people who receive anonymous letters?
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Mrs. Sharpe, Ms. Hussey, and Mr. Watch.
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Why did Frank Andale, Petra's father appear to be a suspect?
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He talks about a letter, and a loan and he stopped talking and interacting with the family especially at dinner time. He appeared distracted.
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What does Calder think qualifies as art?
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Anything that gives him a new way of seeing things.
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How is Petra's life like a tornado? What type of figurative language is this an example of?
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Her house was messy and disorganized with things all over the place. This is an example of a simile.
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Why does Calder want to call the National Gallery?
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He wanted to see if the painting was there and if it was safe.
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How do Calder and Petra attempt to connect all the strange coincidences?
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They write down the suspicious events and coincidences and they go to the library to do research on Vermeer.
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In the letter published in the newspaper, what is the thief asking the public to do?
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He wants everyone to examine all the paintings attributed to Vermeer and reevaluate whether or not Vermeer actually painted all 35 paintings.
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What does Mrs. Sharpe's house remind Petra of ?
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It looks like the world Vermeer lived in because of the delft tiles and the decorations in her kitchen.
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Why was Petra certain that she and Calder needed to look for dark wood? What did Petra believe the wood revealed about the thief?
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She dreamed of dark wood and believed the thief was educated and wealthy. He might live in a mansion with dark wood.
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What did Calder feel guilty about?
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He was now sharing secrets with Petra instead of Tommy.
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Does Mrs. Sharpe have a motive for stealing the painting?
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Yes, because her husband was murdered in Europe while researching Vermeer.
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Why did Mrs. Trek allow the kids to explore the basement?
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She believed they were working on a school project.
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Why did Petra think something was wrong with Ms. Hussey?
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She overheard a cell phone conversation Ms. Hussey was having and she heard her weeping.
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What effect did the theft have on the people of the United States?
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People began to talk about and discuss art. They visited museums and began to look at art in a new way. A book on Vermeer was published making it easy for people to learn about the case and Vermeer.
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How did the kids react when they finally found the painting?
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They were very quiet. Calder's eyes watered and Petra also was crying.
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Where did they find the painting?
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They found it in Delia Dell hall, in a secret panel under the staircase. It was under the 12th step behind the 12th panel.
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How did the painting get in the tree house? Who found it there?
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The thief put it there after restealing it from the police car where Petra put it after being chased by the thief. Calder found it after being hit by Fred and falling off the slide and hitting his head.
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How did Petra find Calder in the tree house?
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She followed the impressions left from his footsteps.
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Who was the thief? What happened to him?
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The thief was Tommy's stepfather, Fred Steadman. His real name was Xavier Glitts. He was a international art thief. He died of a heart attack on a train while trying to escape.
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Why did the author name the last chapter "The Pieces?"
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This was the chapter where the author revealed all the details of the crime.
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What is the difference between "looking" at something and "seeing" something?
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When you "look" at something you are viewing the obvious parts and elements of the object. When you "see" something, you are looking for the deeper meaning behind it.
