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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. Where are Jason and his dog when they make it to the top of the answer to question #54?

2. Why might Jason be stopped at customs?

3. To where is Jason heading when he passes back through Skagway?

4. What does Jason say about his parents?

5. How long has Jason been in New York at the beginning of the book?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What do Jamie and Homer do that amazes the crowds and what does Homer say about the location?

4. What does Jason think could stand in his way besides the weather?

5. Why would the problem in question #29 stand in Jason's way? What does Jason wonder about himself?

6. What kind of fantasy does Jason think about and what does he think his brothers will do about the news?

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

8. How does Jason get a job in Skagway?

9. With whom does Jason meet up again at the beginning of Chapter 12 and what do they do when they see each other?

10. What does the person in question #21 tell Jason and what does he offer Jason? How does Jason feel about the offer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Hawthorn and Charlie have a breakthrough after the fire goes out. While Hawthorn thought he was taking care of Charlie, Charlie felt as if Hawthorn was telling him that he was useless. Working out the issue brought them much closer and turned their relationship into a productive one with both doing the chores.

1. Why do you think Charlie felt the way he did? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

2. What lesson might a person learn from this part of the book when dealing with handicapped people they meet in their lives? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

3. The fact that Jason and Charlie worked on the issue and communicated seems to have cleared up the problem. Do you think most problems between people are the result of lack or or poor communication? Why or why not? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as Jason's Gold help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Jason's Gold? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in Jason's Gold to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

(see the answer keys)

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