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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 do the townspeople of Vanity first do to Christian and Faithful?

2. Why is Evangelist angry at Christian?

3. What does Christian do to try and save himself?

4. About what does Evangelist warn Faithful and Christian?

5. How is By Ends described?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Christian go from the valley in question 10 and what is bad about it?

2. What does Faithful say about some of the people he has met on his journey?

3. Whom do Christian and Hopeful meet after Christian leaves Vanity?

4. What happens to Christian and Hopeful after the flood on By Pass Meadow blocks them from leaving?

5. How does Christian meet Goodwill and what does Goodwill do for Christian?

6. What valley does Christian enter after he leaves the top of the mountain and what happens there?

7. Into what do Christian and Pliable accidentally walk and what is the outcome of that accident?

8. Where does Christian meet Timorous and Mistrust and why is it nightfall before he gets to the top of the mountain?

9. What happens at Lucre Hill?

10. What is at the top of the mountain? Who is there?What do they ask Christian?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following regarding the literary technique of the dream sequence that is employed in The Pilgrim's Progress:

1. What is a dream sequence in narrative literature? How does this term apply to the narrative in The Pilgrim's Progress?

2. What are the advantages of employing a dream sequence or frame in a novel? What are the disadvantages?

3. What does the frame of the dream sequence say about the content of the story itself?

Essay Topic 2

Few works in literature present so effectively what it means to be committed to a cause or belief. In The Pilgrim's Progress, the world is filled with snares and diversions which may keep Christian from realizing his purpose. In an age like our own, when distractions and temptations keep many young people from realizing their potential, The Pilgrim's Progress stands apart, celebrating the courage and resolve needed for a person to do what he believes is right and good.

1. Compare the rigid theology of the Christians in the 1600s to a modern religion that seems to be just as rigid. How are the tenets of each religion similar? How are they different?

2. Discuss the ways in which The Pilgrim’s Progress might be used to teach determination and perseverance. What characters embody these traits?

3. How would you compare the distractions and temptations in The Pilgrim’s Progress to modern issues the young have to face?

Essay Topic 3

Narrative structure refers to a novel's structural framework and the order and manner in which a story is presented to a reader. Answer and discuss the following regarding the narrative structure of The Pilgrim's Progress.

1. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Pilgrim’s Progress, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult or easy to identify the plot elements of this novel? Why?

2. Identify and discuss the major sub-plots and their elements in The Pilgrim’s Progress. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots contribute to the main plot? Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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