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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. In the opening chapter, when Lord Asriel enters the Retiring Room, he sends the Butler out to get what?

2. At the cocktail party that Mrs. Coulter hosts, Lyra hears that her parents were

3. Kaisa is whose daemon?

4. After running away from Mrs. Coulter, Lyra wanders through London before stopping at a stall to buy what?

5. Lyra and her daemon try to escape the Retiring Room, but when they hear someone coming, they are forced to hide again. Where do they hide the second time?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe some of the objects Lyra is shown at the library of the Royal Arctic Institute.

2. What does Lyra learn about eating liver when she dines with Mrs. Coulter at the Royal Arctic Institute?

3. How does John Faa respond to the Gyptians when they want revenge against the Gobblers?

4. Lyra feels at home with the Gyptians and begins talking like them, but Ma tells her she is not Gyptian. Summarize the dialogue Lyra and Ma have on this matter.

5. Describe Lyra's encounter with a giant gray goose while she is on the deck of the ship looking at the Aurora.

6. Describe the games Lyra plays with her friend Roger.

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

8. Describe Jordan College.

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

10. Describe Farder Coram's daemon as seen through Lyra's eyes.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Much to her surprise, Lyra learns that people have heard of her wherever she goes.

1. Summarize instances where people have heard of Lyra. What do they know about her? How do they react when they meet her face to face?

2. Explain how Lyra is the "chosen one" in Pullman's story. How does her destiny guide her path and shape the course of her life?

Essay Topic 2

In The Golden Compass, many gray areas exist. Lyra is often confused trying to figure out who is "good" and who is "bad." Analyze three significant characters of your choice, explaining in what ways they are good, bad, and in the nebulous gray zones. Cite specific examples to support your analysis.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Lyra's biological mother, Mrs. Coulter, with her mother figure, Ma Costa. How does Lyra feel toward each woman? What motherly qualities does each have? What does Lyra learn from each woman? Which one would you say is the "true" mother? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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