View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Bethia feel responsible for her mother's death?

2. What has Caleb been doing the next morning when Bethia encounters him?

3. What does Bethia wonder about Caleb?

4. What does Bethia believe about her mother's death?

5. What does Grandfather Mayfield ask Pastor Mayfield to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Bethia's sister Solace?

2. What does Bethia's say is her current situation when this section opens and why is she going to continue writing?

3. What does Bethia say about the influence of Cambridge on Caleb?

4. What does Caleb think of Bethia's name and how does he express his feelings about it?

5. How does Mayfield act in the aftermath of Solace's death?

6. What happens when Bethia returns to where the Wampanoag are dancing?

7. How does Bethia come to believe she needs to watch her father preach?

8. Describe the effect of Bethia's father's preaching on the Wampanoag.

9. Why does Bethia work so hard on her chores?

10. Who establishes the colony where Bethia lives and whom does Bethia feel has been wronged?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Caleb's Crossing help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Caleb's Crossing? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Caleb's Crossing to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

Caleb's Crossing belongs to the historical novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the historical novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a historical novel and a fantasy?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Bethia and Caleb. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Caleb and Joel. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Caleb's Crossing help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,022 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample