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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 does the group do when they reach the Wicket Gate?

2. Who is Secret?

3. What are the group of pilgrims told they did wrong when they left the gatekeeper’s house?

4. Why does the group send a message to the Interpreter?

5. How long does the group stay at the place where they stop for the night after the giant is killed in Part 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where are the first two places the group go after leaving House Beautiful and what does Great Heart do for them?

2. What happens to the group shortly after leaving Vanity?

3. What happens to the group in the morning at the Interpreter’s house and what does he do before the group leaves? Where are they going next?

4. What happens to the group in BeulahLand?

5. What happens to the group when they leave Goodwill’s house?

6. Whom does the group ask to join them and what is that person’s worry?

7. Where does the group lodge in Vanity? Why do they stay there? What happens with his two daughters?

8. What does the group’s rescuer tell them and where do they go next? What do they see there first?

9. What does the group do when it prepares to leave and what is the consequence of that action?

10. What happens to ease the mind of the latest group member and what does Great Heart do after the group sets forth following James’ wedding?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Characters are an important part of what makes The Pilgrim’s Progress interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Christian. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Christiana. Is Christiana the hero or protagonist in the narrative or does she serve as an antagonist? How does she contribute to the plot? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Discuss and analyze the character of Great Heart. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character?

4. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of the Interpreter. How does the Interpreter contribute to the novel's plot? Is he aligned with the protagonists of the novel or the antagonists?

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