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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 is in the tent Jason found?

2. What sign does Charlie point out to Jason?

3. What does Jason try to hide from Charlie?

4. What are some of the people on the river called?

5. Why is Jack looking poorly?

Short Essay Questions

1. What significant day is coming up in Chapter 22 and how is that time of year affecting the people in the area?

2. How do the boys pass the time and what is learned about Henderson's story?

3. What do Jason and Charlie do in spite of their dire situation and what does Jason then decide to do about their situation?

4. Where does Jason finally arrive in Chapter 14, how long does he stay and how many caribou are there?

5. What is Jason trying to hide from Charlie and when Charlie discovers it what does the boy realize? What is Jason's response?

6. What does Jason notice about the world around him as he is paddling, what does he see for the first time and what does he decide to do?

7. What lies ahead on the river, who manages to pass it and how does the crowd feel about him?

8. Where does Jason wake up after his accident?

9. What are others doing with the caribou and what does Jason do?

10. What do Jason and Charlie do after he meets up with his brothers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Jason and Barker. 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 Jack London and Charlie. 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 Jason's Gold 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.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 1, the reader is introduced to young Jason Hawthorn. Hawthorn is a fifteen-year-old boy who has just arrived in New York after taking ten months to cross the country from Seattle. Hawthorn feels he has something to prove and is determined to make it on his own. As a result, Hawthorn is growing up fast. Hawthorn has conviction above everything else.

1. What differences do you think the fact that a fifteen year old boy left home and traveled across the United States by himself in 1897 as opposed to an fifteen year old boy doing that in the present time? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

2. How do you think feeling like someone has something to prove can be harmful? How can it be helpful? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

3. What is conviction? What do you think it means a that Jason Hawthorn has conviction? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Jason's Gold" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "Jason's Gold" is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that "Jason's Gold" is primarily for entertainment changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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