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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 Jack offer Jason a prospector's outfit?

2. What is a big topic of conversation in Skagway besides gold?

3. Where do Jason's brothers work?

4. What does Jason think is a daunting sight when Jason first sees them?

5. What had Jack suggested to Jason about moving the outfit?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jason get a job in Skagway?

2. How does Jason get off the beach where the sailors dumped him?

3. What does Jason encounter on his way towards Chilkoot and what does he wish about the crowds?

4. Who are Homer and Jamie Dunavant and what is their story?

5. Where and with whom does Jason eat the day he meets Frank Barker?

6. Why is Jason having a difficult time finding a boat?

7. How long does it take Jason to get across Bennett and what are his hopes?

8. How does Jason get his dog, King, and what happens to the previous owner?

9. What does one have to take to get to Canada and how does Jason manage it?

10. How does Jason keep himself going and what do some people he meets want to know about his dog?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many people were running from their problems, such as jobs they hated, marriages which were bad or escaping from relatives they did not like, by leaving for the gold fields. Many realized very quickly that no matter how far they ran their character flaws were always there.

1. Running from problems by going somewhere else is called a "geographic cure." Discuss what do you think this means.

2. Do you believe taking the geographic cure is a good idea or a bad idea? Why or why not? Could it be different depending on the circumstance?

3. Discuss two situations that might respond well to a geographic cure and two that wouldn't be helped with on. Does Jason's determination to go to the gold field seem like a geographical cure? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Chapter 8 shows a great deal about Hawthorn's character. Hawthorn cannot stand to see suffering, particularly when it comes about through cruelty. The horses and other animals that are killed or are left to die hurt Hawthorn's heart to the point that he can no longer look, although averting his eyes from the tragic scene is nearly impossible.

1. What does Jason hating the suffering of animals he sees say about what values he might hold? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

2. What do you think are the causes of people being cruel to the animals when it is not really necessary? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

3. What do you think should be the basic rights of animals and the responsibility of humans to those animals? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Jason's Gold, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy (or at least optimistic) note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Jason's Gold" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Jason's Gold" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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