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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 tells Crispin Quinel cannot meet him that night?

2. What does Crispin decide to do after seeing inside a house?

3. Why do the villagers gather?

4. What does Aycliffe say to the man?

5. What is Crispin eventually able to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Crispin tell Bear about the Lord of the manor in Stromford and what does Bear say about that Lord/

2. How does the boy feel about what he is told, and what does he do about it?

3. What does the boy see after he spends the night in the forest, and what does he realize?

4. What do Bear and Crispin see in the distance, and what is at the bridge?

5. What does Asta's son do the day after he slept in the village, and what does he hear two men say about him?

6. What do the man and Crispin do after Crispin has agreed to serve the man?

7. What does Bear tell Crispin he does in his travels?

8. What does Crispin do when he sees a group of men waiting for him?

9. How is the boy in the first chapter known in his village, what happens to his mother and who helps him with her?

10. What does the boy hear when he wakes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Crispin has now been given something that he has never had before; a sense of identity. He never even knew his name, or thought much about himself. Now he has been reminded that he did have a father at one point, and has been told his real name. Suddenly Crispin begins to feel like a real person, rather than the nobody that people had always treated him as. He thinks about his new name, finding it strange but also exciting and pleasing. He compares it to trying on a new garment, which is desirable but not yet comfortable. He is happy to have an identity, but it will take some time to get used to it. He will also have to try to learn a little more about who he really is.

1. Discuss why most people consider their name to be important to their identity. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Crispin has always had an identity and a personality even before he knew his name; he simply could not see this or conceive of it. Explain, based on what has been shown of Crispin's society, why this might happen to someone like Crispin. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Why do you think knowing his name has made Crispin change in relation to thinking about having a father, when it is obvious that any human born has a father? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

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

2. Analyze and discuss "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Crispin: The Cross of Lead 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 "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 3

Over the course of "Crispin: The Cross of Lead", Crispin grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" might be considered a slice of Crispin's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that this book is a "bildungsroman" of Crispin. 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 Rick as he changes from a more carefree, innocent boy to a wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Rick?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Crispin's growth throughout "Crispin: The Cross of Lead", do you think this book could be considered Crispin's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

(see the answer keys)

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