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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 many servants does Tom add to his retinue?

2. Whom does Miles ask to see?

3. Why does Miles decide to search for the person in question 169?

4. How does Miles end up in front of the king?

5. What is used to announce that the new king is near Westminster Abbey?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Tom's appearance during the recognition procession. What custom does he follow?

2. For how long is Miles sentenced after being taken from Hendon Hall? How does Edward compound the problem?

3. What do Edward and Miles do when they leave Hendon Hall?

4. How has Tom adapted to his role as king?

5. How does Edward tell St. John where the seal is located? What happens after they find the seal?

6. What does Edward do about his situation at Hendon Hall? How does Miles mess up Edward's plan?

7. What does the hermit tell Edward and what does he do with Edward?

8. How does Tom feel when he sees his mother in the crowd? What does he do? What does she do?

9. Who interrupts the hermit's plans for Edward? How does he miss seeing Edward?

10. What happens when Tom is being crowned?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Before Mark Twain begins his tale, his indication that it might or might not have actually happened is a way of suggesting that the facts themselves are secondary. What counts most, the author implies, are the truths to be found behind the events.

1. Discuss, in depth, what you think is meant by the above statement. Use examples from The Prince and the Pauper to illustrate your discussion.

2. List three truths you believe can be found behind the actual plot or actions in The Prince and the Pauper and explain why you believe those to be truths.

3. In your opinion, what is Mark Twain's agenda is for writing The Prince and the Pauper? Use examples from The Prince and the Pauper to support your opinions.

Essay Topic 2

Like many novels, The Prince and the Pauper ends on a happy (or at least optimistic) note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think most people want a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each reason in light of The Prince and the Pauper. How many of the reasons mentioned are fulfilled by the book? Using details from the book, explain how The Prince and the Pauper fulfills or fails to fulfill each reason.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Tom Canty and Prince Edward. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Is either woman's cause more worthy than the other? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Miles and Hugh. 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 The Prince and the Pauper 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)

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