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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. Who has recently died?

2. What is John Ball's response to Crispin's request.

3. What does the cross that Crispin has reveal?

4. What does Crispin ask a nearby boy?

5. Who finds the wandering Crispin?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

7. How does Aycliffe get killed?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

"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?

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.

(see the answer keys)

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