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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. What does Jason's brother say will be the split if they find gold?

2. How much does Jason decide to borrow from his brothers?

3. What does Jason wonder when he arrives at Lake Bennett?

4. Why does Jack offer Jason a prospector's outfit?

5. What does Jack say is a fair trade for the outfit?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Barker talk about at dinner, what does Barker try to get Jason to do, what is Jason's reply and what is Barker's response?

2. What do Jamie and Homer do that amazes the crowds and what does Homer say about the location?

3. Where and with whom does Jason eat the day he meets Frank Barker?

4. What does Jason encounter on his way towards Chilkoot and what does he wish about the crowds?

5. Why is Jason feeling pressured, what are some people going to do about the pressure and how does Jason feel about doing that?

6. Why would the problem in question #29 stand in Jason's way? What does Jason wonder about himself?

7. What does Jason learn at Mrs. Beal's boarding house that stuns him?

8. Upon what ship is Jason stowed away on, what does he hear and what can he not know because of the noise?

9. Why is Jason having a difficult time finding a boat?

10. Who are Homer and Jamie Dunavant and what is their story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Jason's Gold help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Jason's Gold? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Jason's Gold to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Jason matures and grows throughout the book.

1. What do you think might be some of the reasons Jason is maturing? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you think Jason's maturity shown in the book is unrealistic in the short amount of time period the book covers? Why or why not?

3. Discuss the ways that Jason shows changes in his maturity in the book.

Essay Topic 3

Jason's Gold, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy (or at least optimistic) note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Jason's Gold" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Jason's Gold" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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