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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 expected to drive his master?

2. What do Will and Fritz do when they see each other for the first time after going with their different masters?

3. How does Fritz do as the games continue?

4. Where do Fritz and Will think the best place to leave the city might be?

5. What does Will do when left in his room?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are the athletes given to masters and how does Will's situation go in that event?

2. What does Will's master do to him about what he found and what is Will's response?

3. What happens when Will's master uses more as bubbles than usual? Why is Will worried?

4. What do the athletes do when they first arrive in the city?

5. What does Fritz tell Will he saw that indicated where the Tripods might live?

6. How does the first part of the competition go for the boys?

7. How does Will's master relax and what kind of information seems to fascinate him?

8. What does Will's master tell him about how they conquered Earth?

9. What does Will find out about slaves at the end of their lives?

10. What does Will's instructor show him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD is one book in a series of novels involving Will, Beanpole and the other characters. Discuss the following.

1. What are two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

2. What is a disadvantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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