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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. Where does Crispin hide when he hears soldiers?

2. What is likely to happen to Bear?

3. Where does one man agree to take Crispin?

4. What does Bear tell Crispin in response to Crispin's concerns?

5. What does Aycliffe agree to swear?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Crispin think about when he thinks of Bear, and what does he decide to do?

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

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

4. What do Aycliffe and Crispin swear to each other?

5. Why does Crispin follow Bear to a meeting, and what does he hear as he listens outside the door?

6. What is Aycliffe going to do when he sees Crispin in the palace and what does Crispin tell Aycliffe?

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

8. How does Crispin get to the White Stag Inn?

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

10. Where do Crispin and Bear stay, what does Bear tell Crispin to do when he leaves and what does Crispin do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

"Crispin: The Cross of Lead" belongs to the young adult novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young adult novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young adult novel and a historical novel mystery?

(see the answer keys)

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