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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 Crispin ask of John Ball and other rebels?

2. What is likely to happen to Bear?

3. Where does Crispin put the lead cross?

4. What does it mean when there is black cloth with blue and gold ribbons.

5. Why does Crispin follow the soldiers?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Crispin run into Aycliffe in Great Wexley,and what happens when he does see him?

2. What does Crispin do after he runs from the meeting place, and what happens to him at the tavern?

3. Who does Crispin find at the White Stag, what does he tell them and what is their response?

4. How does Aycliffe get killed?

5. What do Crispin and Bear do as they travel towards Great Wexly, what does Bear offer and what is Crispin's feelings about the offer?

6. How does Crispin get away from Aycliffe?

7. How do the men in the meeting get away from the soldiers, and what happens to Bear?

8. Why does Crispin spy on Bear and what does he hear?

9. What does the Widow Daventry tell Crispin about who he is and why Aycliffe is after him?

10. What does Crispin tell Bear as they leave the village and what is Bear's response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and sometimes it is the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by this story, questions that Avi most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Avi's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Avi's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

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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