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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. When Peter is in the tower, Joseph finally learns the name of the crystal. What is it?

2. What demand is placed before the king by the person being questioned?

3. What makes the leader of the twelve men shriek and tremble?

4. What is the people group whom Ivan is asking for help demanding?

5. What is the name of Peter of the Button Face's assistant when they attack the church?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 10, what happens on the rickety stairway that leads to the Charnetski family apartment?

2. When Elzbietka hears the Heynal played in its entirety as described in Chapter 12, where is she and what does she do?

3. In Chapter 13, what is Tring's reaction when he sees the Great Tarnov Crystal in the middle of Kreutz's loft?

4. What is the threat Peter of the Button Face gives to Joseph before Michael the Snake takes Joseph from the tower in Chapter 11?

5. In Chapter 10, Peter of the Button Face is scared as he watches red balls of fire fall. Despite his fear, what does he do?

6. Explain what happens after Kreutz grabs the crystal from the king's hands.

7. When Kreutz reveals that he has the crystal in Chapter 14, describe his feelings.

8. As Peter tries to escape in Chapter 10, what does Kreutz do?

9. Describe how the people of Krakow put out fires in general and in Chapter 14.

10. What do Jan Kanty and the king decide to do about the crystal in Chapter 16?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the fire. Discuss how the solution today for putting out fires is the same as the solution was in the Middle Ages. Compare today's methods of solving the problem with the methods of solving the problem in the Middle Ages. Do you think that the Middle Ages' method of putting out fires was smart and effective? Other than to teach a historically accurate event, why do you think the author goes to such great lengths to describe the methods of putting out the fire?

Essay Topic 2

Does the author provide insight into why so many people believed in superstition or the black arts, or is the reader left wondering why it was so important to the people in the novel? Was this a satisfying way to address the issue or do you wish the author would have handled it differently?

Essay Topic 3

Based on your understanding of the character of the Tartar people as described in the novel, why do you think the Tartars did not succeed as a nation? What contributed to their downfall? In the novel, does it seem like they are a powerful group or can you tell that they are going to experience a downfall?

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