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. What shocks Will the first day he is on deck?

2. Why does Beanpole suggest they make a raft?

3. What is the first mate's name?

4. How does Henry feel about not being chosen?

5. What is the name of the barge that will take the boys to the games?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Moritz become concerned when they stop at a small village?

2. What do the boys figure out by lunch time?

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

4. Where do the boys end up when they get to shore? What is different about the man there and how does he feel about the boys being there?

5. What happens to Will when he is arrested?

6. How do the boys end up in the river?

7. 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?

8. About what do the boys argue and what do they decide while on the river?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD. Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme?" If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD. How does one character's actions portray the themes you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to those themes? Is each theme one that you would call a "universal theme?" If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD? Which theme in THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 3

In the world of academe, science fiction is often considered an inferior form of the novel compared to "classic" literature. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think science fiction might be considered second-rate compared to the classics?

2. Do you think science fiction has the same elements as the classics? Why or why not?

3. What are the purposes do you think for people reading "the classics"? What are the purposed for people reading science fiction? Is one purpose better than another? Explain your response.

4. Would you read science fiction even outside an educational setting? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,074 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample