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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. Who dropped out of Jack's group?

2. Where does everyone say the place to be is at the beginning of the book?

3. For what does the older man say he would give up everything?

4. Why is Jason beginning to feel more pressure about reaching his goal?

5. Why does the scene along the trail shock Jason?

Short Essay Questions

1. On what date is Jason Hawthorn hawking papers, where is he, what is the big news and what does Jason want to have the opportunity to do?

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

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

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

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

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

7. When Jason comes back to Skagway, what are people complaining about, who is head of law enforcement and who is working with him?

8. Why is Jason feeling pressured, what are some people going to do about the pressure and how does Jason feel about doing that?

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

10. What does Jason know about his brothers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of change. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with change? Why? What are some symbols of change? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of perseverance. Which characters seem to have a great deal of perseverance and which do not? Why? Which characters seem really determined and courageous? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death. How did the death of Jason's father affect him? What about his dog, King? How was his reaction to both deaths similar and different?

4. Discuss why Abraham and Ethan leaving Seattle without Jason was a type of death for the Hawthorn family. Use examples from the book to illustrate your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Something in Hawthorn breaks when he sees the man drowning his dogs. Hawthorn feels that by standing by silent he is in some way responsible for the dogs' deaths. It is clear to Hawthorn that something has happened to the man, that Klondicitis has caused him to lose his senses just like many others. Hawthorn begins to wonder if he has lost his mind.

1. Do you think Jason is correct that he is responsible for the dogs' deaths if he does nothing to stop them? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think a student who sees something wrong being done by other students is as guilty as the student doing the act? Why or why not? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

3. There are studies that show that many people who hear or see an act of violence taking place ignore it, to the extent of not even calling 911 on a cell phone. What do you think are the reasons people ignore violence? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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