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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 the voice inside of Captain Kidd protest, when he worries about the girl in Chapter 8?

2. What does Captain Kidd own that is banned in Texas?

3. What does Captain Kidd say would be the consequence if he read from Governor Davis’ state journal, as one audience member requests?

4. How do Captain Kidd and Simon and Doris know which way Johanna went when she runs off in Chapter 7?

5. What Amendment to the constitution has just passed, when Captain Kidd starts reading to his audience?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Captain Kidd show Johanna the weapons he carries, and what is her response?

2. How does Mrs. Gannet fare, taking care of Johanna in the hotel room?

3. What is the town of Spanish Fort like?

4. How does Captain Kidd settle his own doubts about whether he can take care of Johanna?

5. What was it that made Captain Kidd want to be a news reader?

6. How does Johanna handle her first introduction to the hotel in Dallas?

7. What is Captain Kidd’s uniform for his news reading performances?

8. What arrangements is Captain Kidd making in his letter to his daughters?

9. Who is Almay and what proposition does he make to Captain Kidd?

10. Why is Britt Johnson hesitant to take Johanna to San Antonio himself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Research the history of returned captives in the American frontier, from Massachusetts and Maine to the west. What are the biggest difficulties returned captives encounter, and how does Jiles represent that experience in News of the World? Does she paint a fair portrait of this difficult transition?

Essay Topic 2

In what ways is News of the World relevant to contemporary readers? What contemporary issues are in play in the book, and how would the book contribute to contemporary discussion? Cite specific discussions from contemporary sources, and cite specific instances from the book, that describe its contemporary relevance.

Essay Topic 3

Where do you see the story line of News of the World taking place in today’s culture? Are there parallels between Captain Kidd and Johanna and people today? What is the closest film or book or news story to the events represented here? How has the story changed? How has it remained the same?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,101 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample