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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. Why does David leave the town?

2. What does David pick up, slightly damaged, after a woman drops it in the street?

3. What does David believe about countries with kings?

4. What does David buy with his money?

5. What does David help the man find, that he has lost at the side of the road?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why do the people in town eventually wish to catch David?

3. Describe David's first meal with the family.

4. Why was crossing the road, a dangerous task, a type of turning point for David?

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

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

7. Describe how David saves Maria from the fire.

8. Why does David force himself not to think?

9. Explain why David knows so little of himself, including where he is from, and what he looks like.

10. Describe the scene with the man who loses his glasses. What does David do, what is the couple's response, and why is it disturbing for David?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several times in the novel, David uses water to cleanse himself of various negative events. Choose one of the following examples, and discuss, in depth, how the cleansing David performs symbolizes the cleansing of his spirit and his inner self.

• David's scrubbing after escaping the camp

• David's washing following his beating by Carlo

• David's daily washing in the house of Giovanni

Essay Topic 2

There are several instances in the book where the author uses scenery and seasons as metaphors for times within David's own life. This is particularly true in Chapter Seven, as winter gives way to spring. Explain how Anne Holm uses these seasons as metaphors for David's own life.

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)

This section contains 1,102 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample