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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. How does Crispin feel about what the steward has declared?

2. Who does Crispin see ride past towards the south?

3. What does Crispin decide to do after seeing inside a house?

4. Where does the boy run when he is upset about Aycliffe's demand?

5. What does Quinel tell the boy about who the boy is?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Bear and Crispin see in the distance, and what is at the bridge?

2. What does Crispin see on the south road the next morning and what does he do about it?

3. What does the boy hear when he wakes?

4. Who spots the boy in the forest and what do they do?

5. What does Bear tell Crispin about his childhood?

6. Why is Crispin not able to leave the church?

7. How does Bear provide dinner for him and Crispin and what does Bear say about the dinner and how he feels about it?

8. How did Bear pick up his trade?

9. What do the two men say about the steward, and how does the boy think about what they say?

10. What does Crispin find as he is walking, and what does he realize about the place?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bear is hard and unfriendly, but in some ways is also a little like Crispin. He is traveling, without any real home, and seems to have no friends or family. He does not seem to be loved by anyone or have anyone to love or care for. Like Crispin, he is completely alone. Like Crispin, he also learned quickly that other people will not be kind to him. He deals with this by hardening himself and treating everyone gruffly. He does not trust anyone, and tells Crispin so. This is why he is so rude to Crispin.

1. Why do you think Bear's life may have contributed to making him hard and unfriendly? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. What do you think are some of the emotional effects of being and feeling alone in the world for a human? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. What are some of the reasons a person may have learned not to trust others? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

4. How do you think a lack of trust in others can affect a person's life? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

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 Avi.

2. What in Avi's background may have helped him in writing "Crispin: The Cross of Lead"? 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.

(see the answer keys)

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