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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. What does the man tell Crispin is his name?

2. What does the person ask Crispin?

3. Why do the villagers gather?

4. What does Bear do when they stop for the night?

5. What does the boy do the day after his mother dies?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the two men say about the steward, and how does the boy think about what they say?

2. Where does Crispin go the night he sees Quinel, who is there and what is he told to do? What is he given?

3. What does Bear tell Crispin about his childhood?

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

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

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

7. What does Crispin see when he looks inside a church and what is Crispin asked?

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

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

10. How does the man treat Crispin and how does Crispin feel about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Crispin: The Cross of Lead", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "Crispin: The Cross of Lead". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 Avi.

2. What in Avi's background may have helped him in writing "Crispin: The Cross of Lead"? What may have influenced the way he 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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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