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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 does David do that helps him not burn when he saves the girl?

2. Who helped David while he was in the camp?

3. What does David find that he is able to eat?

4. Why doesn't David eat much at dinner?

5. What does the family invite David to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why David is beat up, and why he refuses to fight back.

2. Why does David decide, as he runs during his escape, to stop running and instead to walk?

3. Explain David's reaction to the baby.

4. Explain why David plunges through the thicket instead of going around it.

5. Explain why David's eating of the orange forced him to consider going into town.

6. Explain why David refused the man's money, and why the man hid money in David's bundle.

7. Explain why David is reluctant to escape, and why he does it, despite his reservations.

8. Why does David force himself not to think?

9. Describe David's reaction to his bedroom, when he awakens the first time.

10. Explain what the man on the ship and the woman in the shop mean when they discuss David's eyes.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, David makes the attempt to "win" over those around him, including the guards, and those who are cruel to him. Locate at least two of these circumstances. What is the situation? Why does David feel the need to "win" against these individuals? What does this say about David, as a person? Do you think David's actions make him petty, or righteous? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book, David shows himself to be clearly different than other boys. Pick two ways in which David is different, and discuss them in depth. What are these differences? How are they depicted in the novel? What do these differences stem from? Can David overcome them, or does he need to? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, there is constant contrast between the life David has led, and the life of the more privileged in society. Compare and contrast David's life with the life of others, making sure to touch on concepts such as freedom, choice, materialism, education, and self identity.

(see the answer keys)

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