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

2. What does Samuel bring to his first meeting with Bethia?

3. What is never mentioned in commencement?

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

5. What does Bethia decide Anne must do?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Bethia relieved when they board a vesself for Cambridge, and how is her first day there?

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

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

5. What does Samuel confess to Bethia?

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

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

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

9. What does Bethia say about her marriage to Samuel and their trip to Italy?

10. What is Smauel Corlett like?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Caleb's Crossing based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Caleb's Crossing is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider Caleb's Crossing a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Caleb's Crossing.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Caleb's Crossing. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Caleb's Crossing. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Geraldine Brooks.

2. What in Brooks's background may have helped her in writing Caleb's Crossing? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,067 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample