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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. Who does Bethia believe will care for Solace?

2. What does Bethia wonder about Caleb?

3. How does Bethia see what happens with the whale?

4. With what kind of influence are the arguers concerned the new guest will bring?

5. Why is Bethia at Master Corlett's school?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Tequamuck do as Mayfield prepares to leave for England, and what do some believe is the result of Tequamuck's actions?

3. What does Bethia do that she attributes to Satan's influence and what are the consequences?

4. What does Bethia say about the situations in her family's life at this time?

5. What does Bethia say about her two brothers and what her father says about females?

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

7. How does Bethia feel about Solace?

8. What is Bethia listening to as she lies in her bed?

9. What is Bethia's father's dealings with the Wampanoag, and how does Bethia learn their language?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Caleb's Crossing. Questions that Brooks most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Brooks' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Brooks' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Brooks and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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