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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 keeps John from hurting the prince?

2. In what language is Tom first questioned by Edward's father?

3. Where does Edward take Tom when he rescues him from the palace guards?

4. How does Edward get away from the Cantys?

5. What keeps Edward warm on his first night alone in the barn?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Tom's house like? Who lives there with him?

2. What is the setting of The Prince and the Pauper? What are the circumstances of Tom's birth and Edward's birth?

3. What is Tom doing when the prince first does not return?

4. What do the people in the barn do when Edward tells them he is the king of England?

5. What does Canty tell Edward when Hugo leads him to Tom's father?

6. What does Tom do that Edward wouldn't do while eating? How does everyone react?

7. Describe the place where Tom is taken for dinner.

8. Where does the prince go when he is lost in the crowd?

9. What does Tom do after dinner?

10. What does John Canty do with Edward when he sees him? Who tries to stop him? What does John do to that person?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When John Canty demands that Edward tell Tom's mother and sisters who he is, Edward declares again that he is the Prince of Wales. Mrs. Canty is stunned and thinks that he is crazy. Edward gently tells her he does not recognize her. . Mrs. Canty thinks there is something different about the child, and she decides that a good test of his identity would be to startle him, to see if raises his hands to his eyes, a characteristic gesture of Tom's ever since he was little. She startles him awake, but he does not raise his hands. She tries this three times, with the same result each time, and yet she cannot believe he is not Tom.

1. Out of all the family members of Tom's family, why do you think it was his mother who believes Edward may not be Tom? Do you think this would be true in most families, that the mother would know a child the best? Why or why not?

2. Even though Mrs. Canty thought of a successful way to test Edward, she still did not believe the results. Discuss reasons why she remained blind to the obvious.

3. Using research, if necessary, discuss ways in which a person might be able to deny an obvious truth.

Essay Topic 2

The jewels in which Tom is draped are blinding in the light. Symbolically, they blind others to the boy as a false prince.

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Prince and the Pauper.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Prince and the Pauper. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of The Prince and the Pauper. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

The king declares that his son is not permanently mad, and, in any case, he will succeed to the throne.

1. Discuss how Henry declaring his son only temporarily mad illustrates the power of kings. Use examples from The Prince and the Pauper to support your ideas.

2. Henry declares even if Edward is permanently mad he will still inherit the throne. Discuss the implications of this declaration as to the pros and cons of hereditary leadership positions.

3. Do you think a monarch in the world today would allow an insane son or daughter to inherit the throne? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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