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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. How much of the city is destroyed by the fire?

2. What building has defied fire, siege, and war for eight centuries?

3. To where does the guard escort the person Joseph is amazed to see?

4. What is the best description of the explosions referenced in the Charnetskis' apartment?

5. What does the king give to Pan Andrew?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

3. What is the ancient legend of Krakus?

4. Chapter 11 explains that something has changed with Peter of the Button Face. Describe the changes.

5. What does Pan Andrew tell the king about the Great Tarnov Crystal in Chapter 15?

6. As of 1928, as described in the Epilogue, why do people go to the city of Krakow?

7. What does Peter of the Button Face say to the king regarding why he is in Krakow in Chapter 15?

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

9. Who leaves the tower to fight the fire and who fills in for him in Chapter 14?

10. What does Peter of the Button Face do to break into the tower in Chapter 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think about the throwing of the crystal into the river? Why do you think the author concludes in this manner? Do you think the act of throwing the crystal away is symbolism for a cultural belief? If so, what do you think that symbolism is?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the author presents the social class structure in Krakow in 1461. Does the author's description of these social classes sound like it was an effective way of conducting society? Does his description make it sound like an individual could easily change social classes? Give examples to support your conclusion.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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