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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 do apprentices want, according to the two persons Crispin hears talking?

2. Why does Crispin decide he must rescue Bear?

3. What does Crispin ask of John Ball and other rebels?

4. What does Aycliffe decide to do?

5. What happens as Bear helps Crispin over the wall?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Bear and Crispin reach the gate at Great Wexley and how does Crispin feel about being inside the city?

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

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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