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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 is nervous and frightened?

2. What does Makepeace threaten to tell their grandfather?

3. What does Makepeace think is the cause of his father's death?

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

5. What does Makepeace say he has arranged with the Merry family?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe a little about Anne's life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. What is surprising about Mayfield's will?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of The Maze, Bethia grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Caleb's Crossing might be considered a slice of Bethia's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that Caleb's Crossing is a "bildungsroman" of Bethia. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Bethia as she changes from a more carefree, innocent girl to a wiser, older woman. What are the significant events that change Bethia?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Bethia's growth throughout Caleb's Crossing, do you think Caleb's Crossing could be considered Bethia's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in Caleb's Crossing who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

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

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in Caleb's Crossing? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in Caleb's Crossing including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from Caleb's Crossing and your own live to support your opinion.

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