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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. As the children escape from the compound, they see

2. What does Lyra learn about the ages of witches?

3. How does Lyra create a distraction at the Bolvangar during a fire drill?

4. When Lyra and Roger meet with Lord Asriel in his elegant home atop a high crag, what does Roger tell Lyra?

5. In Chapter 16, who saves Lyra from being separated from her daemon?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Lyra is imprisoned by the armored bears, she reads her alethiometer with help from Pan, who transforms himself into a firefly. What information does the alethiometer reveal?

2. Lyra is traveling in Scoresby's balloon. When Lyra asks Serafina about the future of Lord Asriel, what does the witch, who is flying next to the balloon, explain?

3. In what ways is the Bolvangar similar to a school?

4. At the Bolvangar, what do the three girls who wake Lyra up tell her about what goes on there?

5. When Lyra and Mrs. Coulter are reunited at the Bolvangar, what does the woman tell the girl about Dust?

6. What is the outcome of the battle between Iorek and Iofur?

7. Summarize what Lyra overhears of the conversation about escaped daemons between Mrs. Coulter and the men in the conference room.

8. When Lyra and the Gyptians are attacked by surprise in the North, Lyra is abducted. Who takes her, and where do they go?

9. While Lyra is imprisoned in the armored bears' palace, what does she learn about the king bear from a fellow prisoner?

10. Describe the battle that interrupts Lyra, Iorek, and the other bears as they chase after the tracks made by Lord Asriel's sledge.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using examples from the book, explain how the author weaves the themes of power and betrayal into the story. What characters and episodes represent the misuse of power? How are people affected by this misuse? In each example, which characters try to rectify the situation? How? Do they succeed?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Lyra's feelings towards Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter at the start of the story, when she does not yet know they are her parents, and at the conclusion of the book, when she knows they are her parents and has seen what they are capable of. How do her feelings evolve? How do her feelings tear her apart? Despite her mixed feelings, what does Lyra become certain of?

Essay Topic 3

Various individuals and groups in the book have their own agenda.

1. Explain, in detail, how three of the groups or individuals depend on Lyra to further their goals.

2. How is Lyra able to stay on her own mission and complete her job when so many different factions want so much out of her? Support your answer with examples.

(see the answer keys)

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