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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 Bear claim to the priest in the village?

2. What does Crispin see as he is about to give up?

3. What does Crispin hear as he is leaving the village?

4. What does Bear get for them to eat?

5. How does the man treat Crispin?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. Why can't Bear be hung?

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

8. How did Bear pick up his trade?

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

10. What does Bear make Crispin do in the morning, how does Crispin feel about it and what does Bear begin to teach Crispin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

Crispin finds it very hard to cope with his situation. As he grows more tired and hungry, he begins to lose hope. He even begins to wish that he was dead, thinking that his suffering would be over and he could see his mother again. When he sees the dead man on the gallows, however, his mind is instantly changed. He comes face to face with the horror of death and realizes how much he actually wants to be alive. He realizes that his feelings were brought on by deep sadness and fear, and that he does not really want to die at all.

1. Why do you think Crispin might wish to be dead in his situation? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think someone who sees death, either in a friend or in a close brush with death is more likely to appreciate living than someone who has not confronted mortality? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Peasants in that era and location lived fairly brutal, short and difficult lives yet still continued living and having children even knowing what kind of life their children faced. Discuss why you think humans in this situation do this. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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