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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. What picks up the groups of winners?

2. What covers the city of the Tripods?

3. What does Will's master decide is his and Will's relationship?

4. What does Will do to his master?

5. What shape is the car in which Will goes to his master's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. When do Will and Beanpole arrive at the Games, who do they see there and what do they do when they arrive?

2. How does Will manage to see Fritz again?

3. How does Will get to his master's house, what does it look like and where might his master being in the social hierarchy?

4. How does Will learn more about the city and what does he see?

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

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

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

8. Why did Will have to pick his master up at work early?

9. Where does Will go to see Fritz who is sick and what does Fritz tell him?

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

In The City of Gold and Lead, the main hero is a male, as in a large percentage of novels. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think novels more often have a male hero than a female one?

2. Do you believe there are girls as capable (or more so) than Will or Fritz? Would the novel be as interesting to you if a girl were was one of the human spies? Why or why not.

3. Do you think females (in the real world) are just as likely and capable as males to be heroes? Why or why not.

4. Would you rather read a book with a male or female hero or do you have a preference. Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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