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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 does Bethia realize about Caleb as they are riding back to the white settlement?

2. What does Bethia want to do?

3. What happens in the early part of Bethia's one year at Harvard College?

4. What position is it likely Joel will hold at graduation?

5. What is revealed about Bethia in the first chapter of this section?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Samuel's marriage proposal to Bethia interrupted, and what how does Bethia handle the situation.

2. What is surprising about Mayfield's will?

3. What does Bethia say about Caleb and Joel regarding their studies?

4. What happens to Joel on his way to the mainland?

5. Why does Bethia tell Caleb to stop calling her Storm Eyes?

6. What is the time frame when Chapter 1 of this section opens and why is Bethia writing again?

7. What does Samuel confess to Bethia?

8. How do Caleb and Joel do on their entrance exams?

9. What does Bethia say about the change in attitude towards Caleb and Joel by the other students?

10. What are a couple things Bethia does during her first days at the school?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Caleb's actions in Chapter 7 can clearly be seen as an important component of his overall journey and intention - to be as fully native a man as he can within the context of being as fully Christian a man as he can. The former is his identity, the latter is the filter through which that identity can function to the benefit of his people. In other words, Caleb's choices and his reactions to those choices are clear manifestations of the work's thematic interest in the struggles faced by individuals to define individual identity; in particular, finding the balance between what internal drives dictate and what external circumstances demand.

1. Discuss, in depth, the conflict between Caleb's native culture and the Christian religion. Use examples from your life and Caleb's Crossing to support your answer.

2. How do you think Caleb's choices and his reactions portrays the them of identity? Use examples from your life and Caleb's Crossing to support your answer.

3. Do you think the balance between internal drives and external circumstances is universal to the human race? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and Caleb's Crossing to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as 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 one in light of Caleb's Crossing and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Caleb's Crossing is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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This section contains 1,141 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample