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. In what event does Colin place second in the spring track meet?

2. What shift does Harry work at the coal pit?

3. Who does Colin get into a fist fight with in Part 3, Chapter 15?

4. What does Harry decide not to tell his wife about during their vacation at the seashore?

5. When Ellen goes to the hospital to have her baby, who helps Steven get ready in the morning?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Colin stays with the Shaws in Part 1, Chapter 5, how is his life?

2. How does inventing affect Harry in Part 2, Chapter 7?

3. How is Ellen able to tell when Colin takes Steven to the hut?

4. How is Colin different from Andrew?

5. How does Colin feel about the town where his new school is?

6. What happens when Colin helps a fellow student at school in Part 3, Chapter 13?

7. What do the Savilles begin to do every Sunday in Part 2, Chapter 8?

8. Why does Colin get into a fist fight in Part 3, Chapter 15?

9. What happened when Colin and Harry went into the city in Part 1, Chapter 4?

10. What were the results of the entrance exam for Colin and his friends?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Colin's educational philosophies as a teacher. How did he exemplify these beliefs? What did his beliefs mean to him? How did they change over time? What is your opinion of Colin's philosophies?

Essay Topic 2

Compare Ellen's parents to Harry's parents. How do they treat their children? How do they act with the rest of the family? How are they perceived by others? Are some of these characters portrayed in a better light? Why?

Essay Topic 3

The coal mine where Harry works is central to the lives of the Savilles. What is work in the coal mine like? How are miners perceived? How does working in the coal mine define Harry? How does Harry view his work? How does the coal mine help to develop the plot of this novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 642 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample