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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 eventually becomes Caleb and Joel's tutor?

2. How does Caleb take the news Bethia brings?

3. What is Samuel to do at the school endowed by John Harvard?

4. Why is Bethia relieved as they are leaving?

5. How do Samuel and Bethia manage to travel to Italy for his medical studies?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the argument Bethia and Makepeace become embroiled in one day at the memorial for their father.

2. What does Samuel confess to Bethia?

3. Why has Noah Merry come to Cambridge and what news does he bring?

4. What does Bethia do in order to help Caleb when he is dying?

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

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

7. What is surprising about Mayfield's will?

8. Why are arrangements made for Joel to return to Cambridge before the others from the island?

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

10. How does Bethia help Caleb die with peace and dignity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Caleb's Crossing belongs to the historical novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the historical novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a historical novel and a fantasy?

Essay Topic 2

The situation of Bethia agreeing to become an indentured servant is a narrative opportunity for the author to explore one of the work's key themes, the relationship between sin, redemption and rebirth. Bethia continually and repeatedly strives to redeem herself for what she sees as her sinful choices and feelings, but over the course of the narrative, seems less and less inclined to believe that what she actually has done is a sin.

1. Discuss the ways in which Bethia's belief about sin changes from when she is a girl to when she is an older woman. Use examples from your life and Caleb's Crossing to support your answer.

2. Do you think that Bethia's need to redeem herself is a pathological response induced by a harsh religion? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and Caleb's Crossing to support your answer.

3. How do you think changing her views on sin might change Bethia's life? Use examples from your life and Caleb's Crossing to support your answer.

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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