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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. What are many of the Klondikers doing with the caribou?

2. What are some of the people on the river called?

3. To what is Dawson City compared?

4. What does the man who helps Jason with his caribou say about the Mounties and August?

5. At what date does Jason reach the end of Lake Bennett?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens on the river because of the number of people on it and who are on it besides Klondikers?

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

3. Where does Jason wake up after his accident?

4. What does Jason notice about the world around him as he is paddling, what does he see for the first time and what does he decide to do?

5. How does Jason finally get to see Jamie and what does she tell him?

6. How does Jason find his brothers and what kind of prank does he decide to play?

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

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

9. What does Charlie say to Jason which helps clear the air?

10. How does the option in question #45 work out for Jason?

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

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 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Jason's Gold" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if "Jason's Gold" is a successful novel. Explain your rationale with specific examples.

3. Do you think the fact that "Jason's Gold" is primarily for entertainment changes the criteria upon which its success should be judged? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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