View a FREE sample

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 begin to teach Crispin?

2. What does Bear get for them to eat?

3. Who does Crispin see at the village?

4. What does Bear say killing animals is?

5. What does the man the boy does not know do when he sees the boy?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Characters are an important part of what makes "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Crispin. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Bear. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of John Aycliffe. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,369 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample