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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 put the lead cross?

2. What does Bear continue doing as the two travel?

3. What impresses Crispin at the town square?

4. What does the Widow Deventry have Crispin do?

5. Who finds the wandering Crispin?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Crispin get away from Aycliffe?

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

4. How does Crispin get into the palace, and what does he take when he first arrives there?

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

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

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

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

10. What does Widow Daventry do when she sees Crispin in the common room and how does Bear feel about her actions?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Bear is hard and unfriendly, but in some ways is also a little like Crispin. He is traveling, without any real home, and seems to have no friends or family. He does not seem to be loved by anyone or have anyone to love or care for. Like Crispin, he is completely alone. Like Crispin, he also learned quickly that other people will not be kind to him. He deals with this by hardening himself and treating everyone gruffly. He does not trust anyone, and tells Crispin so. This is why he is so rude to Crispin.

1. Why do you think Bear's life may have contributed to making him hard and unfriendly? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. What do you think are some of the emotional effects of being and feeling alone in the world for a human? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. What are some of the reasons a person may have learned not to trust others? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

4. How do you think a lack of trust in others can affect a person's life? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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