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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 reveal to John Aycliffe?

2. Where does Crispin hide when he hears soldiers?

3. What does Aycliffe decide to do?

4. What happens when Crispin runs into an alley?

5. What does Aycliff do that is immoral?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Aycliffe get killed?

3. 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?

4. How do Bear and Crispin get out of the palace?

5. What does Crispin decide to do after he gets away from Aycliffe?

6. What does Crispin see downstairs when he comes out of his hiding place, and what does Daventry tell him?

7. What is Bear's opinion on rebellion and what is John Ball's opinion on it?

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

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

10. How does Crispin get away from Aycliffe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of "Crispin: The Cross of Lead", Crispin grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" might be considered a slice of Crispin's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that this book is a "bildungsroman" of Crispin. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Rick as he changes from a more carefree, innocent boy to a wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Rick?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Crispin's growth throughout "Crispin: The Cross of Lead", do you think this book could be considered Crispin's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Crispin: The Cross of Lead" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

Essay Topic 2

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 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.

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