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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. To conceal Lyra from the daemons of the police who are searching for her, the Costas hide her in their boat in a secret compartment made of what?

2. Lyra's closest friend is a

3. What are Nalkainens?

4. What happens to the two men who are abducting Lyra as they bind her legs and hands?

5. Mrs. Coulter is a member of

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the journalist at Mrs. Coulter's cocktail party?

2. What is the Bolvangar?

3. Describe Lyra's attempts to read the alethiometer in Chapter 9, particularly regarding Mr. de Ruyter, head of espionage.

4. As Lyra rides with the Gyptians on a narrow boat captained by Ma Costa, what does Tony Costa say about the missing children?

5. In her hiding place in the Retiring Room, Lyra eventually falls asleep. What does Lord Asriel talk about with Lyra after he wakes her up?

6. While Lyra and Roger explore underground passages at Jordan College, they enter a crypt. What do they find there?

7. How does Lyra feel after learning that Mrs. Coulter is her mother?

8. Describe Lord Asriel's reaction when Lyra bolts out of the wardrobe in the Retiring Room.

9. What happens to the men who try to abduct Lyra after she and Pan run away from Mrs. Coulter? What happens to their daemons?

10. Summarize the story Farder Coram tells about his encounter 40 years ago with a Lapland witch.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using examples from the book, explain how the author weaves the themes of power and betrayal into the story. What characters and episodes represent the misuse of power? How are people affected by this misuse? In each example, which characters try to rectify the situation? How? Do they succeed?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze how the war games Lyra plays with Roger and the other children early in the story prepare her for the challenges she later faces in real battle. Cite examples.

Essay Topic 3

The issue of trust is constantly put to the test in The Golden Compass. Show how Lyra makes decisions regarding whom to trust and whom to be wary of. On what basis does she make these decisions? How accurate is she? Support your argument with examples.

(see the answer keys)

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