View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jason try to figure out when he finds a bear's den?

2. About how many boats are on the river?

3. How many bears come out of the den?

4. Who does Jason talk to a his brothers' business?

5. What is Dawson City nicknamed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Jason is at the bear cave?

2. What do Jason and Charlie do in spite of their dire situation and what does Jason then decide to do about their situation?

3. Where does Jason finally arrive in Chapter 14, how long does he stay and how many caribou are there?

4. How does Jason meet Charlie?

5. How does Jason's initial attempt to see Jamie go?

6. What is Homer's last poem at Dawson City about and what does Jamie say to Jason about possibilities in the future?

7. What lies ahead on the river, who manages to pass it and how does the crowd feel about him?

8. What does Jason know he must do at the river and how does King help him?

9. What do Jason and Charlie do when they leave the area of the cabin?

10. How does Jason's decision about paddling work out and what does he near at the end of Chapter 14?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book. Questions that most likely Hobbs wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Hobbs' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

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

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)

This section contains 1,201 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample