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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. By the end of Chapter 20, Lyra has decided to take her alethiometer to

2. How does Lyra create an explosion in the compound's kitchen when she escapes from Mrs. Coulter?

3. While pursuing Lord Asriel, Lyra and Iorek reach a bridge where they are forced to

4. When the alethiometer tells Lyra that there is a ghost in a village near the Bolvangar, she thinks the ghost may be that of a

5. After being awakened by Thorold at Lord Asriel's house, Lyra learns that Asriel has taken

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. After Lyra and Roger go to Lord Asriel's residence in the North, what does Roger say to Lyra about the man?

5. When Lyra is with Mrs. Coulter at the Bolvangar, she realizes she is safe only as long as she pretends to know very little of what is actually going on. What does Lyra tell Coulter to throw her off track?

6. At the Bolvangar, how does Lyra contact Roger without attracting attention?

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

8. As children line up to get hot drinks at the canteen at the Bolvangar, what does Lyra reveal to them about her escape plan?

9. 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?

10. When Thorold wakes up Lyra at Lord Asriel's residence in the North, he is concerned. What does he tell her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

The author uses the alethiometer to reveal information to the reader without having to switch back and forth between other points of view. Explain how his decision to "see" through Lyra's golden compass enables Pullman to write a smoother, clearer narrative.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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