View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens when Lyra and Roger enter the cellars where Tokay and wines are kept?

2. What does Kaisa tell Lyra about Lord Asriel and Dust?

3. While riding with the Costas in a narrow boat along the Grand Junction Canal, Lyra learns from Tony that

4. After Lord Asriel tells Lyra that he has received funding for his next expedition, she asks to go with him. What does he say?

5. What daemon lands on the ship's deck when Lyra sees the city in the sky while observing the Aurora?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Lyra's attempts to read the alethiometer in Chapter 9, particularly regarding Mr. de Ruyter, head of espionage.

2. Summarize the story Farder Coram tells about his encounter 40 years ago with a Lapland witch.

3. Tony tells Lyra that the North is a dangerous location plagued by Nalkainens, Windsuckers, and Breathless Ones. Describe what these are, according to Tony.

4. Lyra feels at home with the Gyptians and begins talking like them, but Ma tells her she is not Gyptian. Summarize the dialogue Lyra and Ma have on this matter.

5. Describe some of the conversation that takes place at Mrs. Coulter's cocktail party.

6. Describe how Mrs. Coulter manages to convince Lyra not to wear her white handbag to the cocktail party.

7. Describe Jordan College.

8. How does Lord Asriel convey power, one of the book's central themes?

9. When Pan swims with dolphins, what does Lyra's new friend, Jerry the seaman, tell her about daemons finally settling?

10. Describe some of the objects Lyra is shown at the library of the Royal Arctic Institute.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Even though Lord Asriel is Lyra's father, Iorek serves as her father figure.

1. Compare and contrast Lord Asriel and Iorek.

2. Which one is more of a father to Lyra? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Despite the starkness of the story, there are instances where the reader feels a deep sense of warmth and comfort experienced by Lyra. Cite three examples of Lyra---and the reader---feeling safe and secure. Why does Pullman include these scenes in The Golden Compass? How do they benefit or enhance the story?

Essay Topic 3

1. Describe the primary characteristics of these groups of beings in Pullman's story: Gyptians, witches, Tartars, armored bears.

2. List the strengths and weaknesses of each group.

3. For each group, cite one instance in which a characteristic of the group benefits Lyra's cause.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,114 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample