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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 boy realize about the village?

2. Why does the boy move towards a clearing?

3. What does Bear say has to happen for a person to have a life?

4. What position does John Aycliffe hold in the village?

5. What does Bear want to do about his country?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is the man Crispin has agreed to serve, and what does he do for a living?

2. What does Crispin see on the south road the next morning and what does he do about it?

3. Why does Bear look at Crispin's cross, and what does Crispin think about Bear's statement about the cross?

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

5. What does Crispin decide to do and what happens when he feels too frightened and tired to go on?

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

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

8. How does Crispin feel about his situation, and what does Father Quinel tell him to do?

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

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

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

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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