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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. The word “leviathan” that is used in Chapter 6: “Beast from Air” refers to what?

2. What adjective used in Chapter 6: “Beast from Air” to describe Simon means lacking confidence in one’s own ability, worth, or fitness?

3. Who does Ralph say will be guarding the fire that night during the assembly in Chapter 5: “Beast from Water”?

4. What color is the birthmark described as on the young boy who steps forward at the meeting in Chapter 2: “Fire on the Mountain”?

5. What word used in Chapter 3: “Huts on the Beach” refers to a downward slope of ground?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you describe the tone and mood in the beginning of Chapter 5: “Beast from Water”?

2. What routines have been established on the island in Chapter 4: “Painted Faces and Long Hair”?

3. What is found at the castle rock in Chapter 6: “Beast from Air”? Where do the boys go next?

4. What leads to the impromptu meeting in Chapter 6: “Beast from Air”? What decision is made at the meeting?

5. Why does Jack begin wearing face paint in Chapter 4: “Painted Faces and Long Hair”?

6. What does the conch shell come to represent symbolically in Chapter 2: “Fire on the Mountain”? Why?

7. How have Jack’s and Ralph’s experiences differed during the first days on the island, as seen in Chapter 3: “Huts on the Beach”?

8. What can be interpreted by Jack’s behavior toward Piggy in Chapter 4: “Painted Faces and Long Hair”?

9. What characteristics serve to develop the conflict between Ralph and Jack in Chapter 5: “Beast from Water”?

10. How would you describe the system of discipline on the island in Chapter 3: “Huts on the Beach”? What effects can you see from this system?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and analyze the character of Ralph as the protagonist of Lord of the Flies. How old is Ralph? What does the reader know about his character based on the dialogue and exposition in Chapter 1? What elements of Ralph’s character indicate he will be the protagonist of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the historical context of Lord of the Flies. Historical context refers to the situations and events during the time in which a piece of literature was written. What global and national events were taking place in 1954, when Golding’s novel was published? How does the novel reflect these events?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the characters of Percival, Johnny, and Henry, as introduced in Chapter 4. How old are the majority of the “littluns” on the island? How do these characters spend most of their time on the island? What fears compel the littluns in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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