View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Beanpole save Will's life?

2. Why are Will, Henry, and Beanpole with the uncapped people?

3. What is the name of the captain of the barge?

4. What happens to Beanpole when he tries to get some food?

5. What was growing in the field on the island?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Beanpole tell Will about what Ulf said about Will not being at the barge?

2. What does the man say when he answers the boys' question?

3. Why do the boys want to win in their sporting event?

4. How do the boys get away from the man?

5. How do the boys implement Beanpole's idea?

6. What does Julius say about the plan for the boys?

7. What was Will forced to do in his journey to White Mountain?

8. What does Will not want to do for the games and how did he get to White Mountain?

9. What does Will see on his first day on deck and how does he feel about it?

10. How do Will and Beanpole get food as they walk and what idea does Beanpole have about getting food? How did that work out for them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast Will's world to that of "real" life. What are the advantages to each world? The disadvantages?

2. In which world would you rather live in if you wanted adventure and danger? Explain your response.

3. Discuss what you believe are the necessary information to have if you are going to create a world that doesn't exist.

4. Create an imaginary world and discuss what you would have the various institutions of the world be like. For example, the government, education, health care, religion, etc.

Essay Topic 2

THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on an essentially, happy 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 THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD 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?

Essay Topic 3

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Will is no exception. His determination and survival powers might contrast to his immaturity and temper. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze situations when Will demonstrates his determination. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Will's character flaws offering specific examples of these flaws in your discussion.

3. Discuss how you think Will's admirable traits helped him perform his mission. Have his flaws impacted his mission at all? Do any of those who are with him seem to notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 957 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample