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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 looks at Bear and Crispin with hatred while the two are entertaining the villagers?

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

3. How could Crispin become free?

4. What is Crispin's reaction to learning what Bear is teaching?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why can't Bear be hung?

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

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

4. What does Crispin find as he is walking, and what does he realize about the place?

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

6. How did Bear pick up his trade?

7. Who spots the boy in the forest and what do they do?

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

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

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

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 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "Crispin: The Cross of Lead". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in "Crispin: The Cross of Lead". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "Crispin: The Cross of Lead". In addition to the theme of actual death of characters and its theme, consider in your answer the death of innocence in Crispin from the beginning of the book to the end.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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