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 does Beanpole decide might help the two boys get some food?

2. When did the man on the island dad die?

3. What did Beanpole and Will use for a hammer when building their raft?

4. How does Will get out of his predicament?

5. What does being hungry make the boys do?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Who elects to stay below deck first and where do they stay?

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

6. 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?

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

8. What does Beanpole think might have happened because the barge was gone?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Loyalty is demonstrated in a number of ways, as is the lack of loyalty. Beanpole demonstrates his loyalty to Will several times in THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD. Discuss the following:

1. How do you define loyalty? Is the ability and desire to be loyal an admirable trait in humans? Why or why not? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being loyal to a person? Cause? Country? Idea? What of those who are loyal to something no matter what they learn about that person, thing, ideal, country, etc... -in other words, blind loyalty.

2. Discuss and analyze why you think Beanpole is loyal to Will. Is it warranted? Wise? Earned? What other instances of loyalty occur in The City of Gold and Lead? Is the way Will feels about the human race and freeing the world a form of loyalty?

3. What other admirable traits besides loyalty occur in THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD? Discuss fully two of those traits with specific examples.

Essay Topic 2

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Will and Fritz. Include their goals, sense of honor, abilities, and social skills.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Fritz and Beanpole.

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Will discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

Essay Topic 3

The boys steal Hans' boat and Will learns a lesson in human compassion as he sees the desperation in Hans' face when Hans realizes he cannot stop them from leaving with his only means to reach the nearby village. Will is touched and will remember that moment for the rest of his life, suggesting some character growth from this event. Discuss one of the following questions:

1. What is compassion? How is compassion shown? Why might Will learn compassion from watching Hans? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. What is the difference between compassion and pity? Discuss the implications of feeling pity versus feeling compassion. Use examples from the book to support your answer.

3. How did feeling compassion for Hans help Will grow? Compassion is generally associated with mature individuals. Do you think Will's growth made him more mature? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample