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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 the merchants on the river selling?

2. How long does Jason first search for a bear in Chapter 23?

3. What happens at a narrow part of the river?

4. How does the crowd feel when the person in question #113 makes it through the rapids?

5. What does Jason want to do in Dawson City?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jason worry about at the lake and what does he decide he has to have?

2. Where does Jason wake up after his accident?

3. How does Jason see Jamie again?

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

5. What does Jason decide is their only option for survival?

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

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

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

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Jason and Barker. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Jack London and Charlie. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Jason's Gold help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Kristina is no exception.

1. Trace and analyze situations where Jason demonstrates his fear and hopelessness. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Jason's character flaws, and explain how they create a more complex and believable character. How do you think Jason's character flaws make some situations more difficult for him?

3. After analyzing Jason's strengths and weaknesses, decide if Jason is the "hero" of the story. Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

Just when Hawthorn is at his lowest, something happens or someone arrives to give him a boost or some kind of assistance. In chapter twelve, it was London who came to the rescue. In chapter thirteen, Hawthorn is buoyed by the sight of Jamie and Homer and then again when he is able to buy the canoe. Hawthorn's hope is restored.

1. Research narrative contrivance and decide if some of the "miraculous" interventions in Jason's life might qualify as such. Give your reasons why you do or do not believe the events are narrative contrivance. Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think in the present time people would be as kind and generous as some of the people are to Jason in this story? Why or why not? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

3. How important do you think hope is in the course of people's daily lives? Why or why not? Use examples from Jason's Gold and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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