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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. Where is Will put when he is arrested?

2. What does Beanpole tell the man on the island is the reason Will keeps asking about fighting the Tripods?

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

4. What is different about the two men who will get the competitors to the games?

5. What is Will reminded of when he sees the answer to question #36?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the boys sleep that night and how do they wake up?

2. Since the boys arrive at the dock early what do they do?

3. 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?

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

5. What do the boys do when they wake up and what does Hans show them?

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

7. What kind of swimmer is Will and how does Beanpole help him?

8. What does Beanpole suggest might be a good way to get downriver?

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

10. What do Will and Beanpole do when they leave the village?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think The City of Gold and Lead is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

At the conclusion of a novel, most readers either consciously or unconsciously engage in processing the book and usually come to a conclusion as to whether they like the book or not. Discuss one of the following:

1. Would you consider THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD a "good" book? Why or why not? Use examples to illustrate your stance.

2. What do you think are the elements of an outstanding novel? Analyze one of your favorite novels to see if those elements are present.

3. What are some reasons you might consider a novel a failure? Analyze a novel you think is a failure and see if those elements are in that novel.

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)

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