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. About what is Caleb troubled?

2. How does Bethia describe the proprietor of the school?

3. How does Bethia realize what Caleb is doing?

4. With whom does Bethia talk about Samuel and Noah?

5. How is the journey to Cambridge?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is surprising about Mayfield's will?

3. How has Makepeace arranged to buy Bethia out of her indenture?

4. What does Mayfield's will say about further schooling for Joel, Caleb and Makepeace and how does that affect Bethia?

5. Why do Caleb, Joel and Bethia believe they need to get Ann to the island?

6. Why is Caleb still disturbed about the situation with Anne and what does he do?

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

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

9. Describe a little about Anne's life.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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