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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 can't Crispin leave the city?

2. Upon whom does Crispin eavesdrop?

3. What does Crispin tell the rebels?

4. Where do John Aycliffe and the soldiers escort Bear and Crispin?

5. Why does Crispin follow the soldiers?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens when Bear and Crispin reach the gate at Great Wexley and how does Crispin feel about being inside the city?

3. How does Crispin get into the palace, and what does he take when he first arrives there?

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

5. What do Aycliffe and Crispin swear to each other?

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

7. How does Crispin get away from Aycliffe?

8. What does Crispin tell Bear as they leave the village and what is Bear's response?

9. What does Crispin see downstairs when he comes out of his hiding place, and what does Daventry tell him?

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

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

During the Middle Ages, men were considered much more important than women. Money and property were passed down from fathers to sons. In the story, the main character is known only as Asta's son, because he does not know who his father is. He is treated badly by others because he has no father and so is seen as less important. He is not even given a proper name. He feels sad about this and cannot help thinking badly of himself, even though his situation is not his fault.

1. Why do you think the human society evolved with men being more important than women? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Considering without modern technology it was impossible to prove who an infant's father was but a mother is always known, explain why it would be more logical for children's identity to pass through the maternal side of a family.

3. Children like Crispin who was born out of wedlock were ostracized and looked down upon throughout much of human history up to just the last twenty years. Discuss the implications of a child having to pay for what was considered his or her parents' mistake. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in "Crispin: The Cross of Lead"? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" and your own live to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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