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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. Where does Crispin see John Aycliffe?

2. What shocks Crispin when he comes down for breakfast?

3. Who will receive all the money and land of the recently deceased person?

4. What happens when the two reach the entrance to Wexly?

5. What amazes Crispin as the two are getting closer to Great Wexly?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Crispin follow Bear to a meeting, and what does he hear as he listens outside the door?

2. What does the Widow Daventry tell Crispin about who he is and why Aycliffe is after him?

3. How does Crispin run into Aycliffe in Great Wexley,and what happens when he does see him?

4. How do Bear and Crispin get out of the palace?

5. What does Widow Daventry say about Lord Furnival's widow?

6. What is Aycliffe going to do when he sees Crispin in the palace and what does Crispin tell Aycliffe?

7. How does Crispin get to the White Stag Inn?

8. How do the men in the meeting get away from the soldiers, and what happens to Bear?

9. What does Crispin do after he runs from the meeting place, and what happens to him at the tavern?

10. How does Aycliffe get killed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Crispin has now been given something that he has never had before; a sense of identity. He never even knew his name, or thought much about himself. Now he has been reminded that he did have a father at one point, and has been told his real name. Suddenly Crispin begins to feel like a real person, rather than the nobody that people had always treated him as. He thinks about his new name, finding it strange but also exciting and pleasing. He compares it to trying on a new garment, which is desirable but not yet comfortable. He is happy to have an identity, but it will take some time to get used to it. He will also have to try to learn a little more about who he really is.

1. Discuss why most people consider their name to be important to their identity. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Crispin has always had an identity and a personality even before he knew his name; he simply could not see this or conceive of it. Explain, based on what has been shown of Crispin's society, why this might happen to someone like Crispin. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Why do you think knowing his name has made Crispin change in relation to thinking about having a father, when it is obvious that any human born has a father? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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