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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 valuable information does Stas give to the stranger about Joseph's family?

2. What ultimately happens to the trumpeter in 1241?

3. On the night in Chapter 7 when Joseph sees Elzbietka, what does she tell him she is worried about?

4. Chapter 1 begins in what month and year?

5. When Joseph further investigates Elzbietka's concerns, what does he see?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why many people seek Jan Kanty's advice.

2. Describe the agreement that Elzbietka and Joseph make to one another when in the tower in Chapter 8.

3. In Chapter 5, when Kanty and the Charnetski family go to the lodgings Joseph has found, what do they witness on their way?

4. How does Peter of the Button Face plan to break into Pan Andrew's apartment and steal the treasure in Chapter 9?

5. Describe the Tartars.

6. What are some of the things that Joseph notices when he spies on Tring and Kreutz in Chapter 7?

7. In Chapter 8, what reason does Joseph give Elzbietka for why the scholar they see is not speaking at the University?

8. Explain how the Polish people feel as they have to leave their villages because they know the Tartars are arriving.

9. What does Pan Andrew explain to Jan Kanty in Chapter 4 once the mob scene has dissipated?

10. Explain how the city of Krakow reacts to the villagers fleeing.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Joseph's bravery. Does his character description make for an exciting hero? Is his character believable? Are there other characters who show bravery that you preferred in the novel? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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