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. What do the visitors ask?

2. What does Mayfield hope for Caleb?

3. Where does Bethia accompany her father?

4. What does Bethia do when she returns from her errand?

5. Who does Pastor Mayfield invite along?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are Bethia's father's plans for Caleb?

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

4. What does Bethia's father say about the sonquem when Mayfield returns to the Merry home?

5. How does Caleb explain his early morning greeting to the sun god?

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

7. What does Bethia say is the reason for the tension between her father and Makepeace, and why is it strange that they are upset with each other?

8. Where do Bethia's father and grandfather invite Bethia along and what is the purpose of their visit?

9. What does Bethia say about Caleb in this first section?

10. What happens to Bethia's sister Solace?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes Caleb's Crossing interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Caleb. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Bethia. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Pastor Mayfield. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Caleb's Crossing is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Caleb's Crossing, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Caleb's Crossing. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,065 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample