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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. How does the man treat Crispin?

2. Why is Crispin pleased about Bear's request?

3. What does Bear get for them to eat?

4. What does the man tell Crispin is his name?

5. To whom is John Aycliffe talking?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who meets the boy and the man helping him, and what does that man tell the boy?

2. What does Quinel give the boy, and what does he tell him about the boy's situation?

3. What does Crispin find on the south road and what does he think about it?

4. How did Bear pick up his trade?

5. What does Bear tell Crispin about his childhood?

6. Why is Crispin not able to leave the church?

7. How does Bear provide dinner for him and Crispin and what does Bear say about the dinner and how he feels about it?

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

9. Why does the boy go to the church, and what does the priest first tell him?

10. How does Bear feel about what they see and what do he and Crispin do about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Crispin realizes that he would have been caught if it were not for Bear, and is grateful for his help. Later, Bear tells Crispin that if there is ever trouble, he should run away and not think about Bear. He should then head north and try to hide from the men who are chasing him. This shows how much he really does care about Crispin. He does not want Crispin to get hurt, and fears for his safety in Great Wexly. He would not want Crispin to risk himself even to save Bear. He also does not abandon Crispin, despite the fact that Crispin is causing him quite a lot of trouble.

1. Why do you think Bear tells Crispin to run away if there is ever any trouble and to not worry about Bear? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think Bear has not abandoned Crispin because he has learned to care for Crispin or because that is a basic part of Bear's nature? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. What are some of the ways has Bear's life been changed by having Crispin in his life? What about Crispin having Bear in his life? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Crispin: The Cross of Lead". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Avi chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Avi chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Avi's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Avi use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

Bear is hard and unfriendly, but in some ways is also a little like Crispin. He is traveling, without any real home, and seems to have no friends or family. He does not seem to be loved by anyone or have anyone to love or care for. Like Crispin, he is completely alone. Like Crispin, he also learned quickly that other people will not be kind to him. He deals with this by hardening himself and treating everyone gruffly. He does not trust anyone, and tells Crispin so. This is why he is so rude to Crispin.

1. Why do you think Bear's life may have contributed to making him hard and unfriendly? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. What do you think are some of the emotional effects of being and feeling alone in the world for a human? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. What are some of the reasons a person may have learned not to trust others? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

4. How do you think a lack of trust in others can affect a person's life? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,308 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample