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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 do the boys decide to do?

2. How many cats were sitting by the fire where Will was sleeping on the island?

3. How does Henry feel about not being chosen?

4. Why is Beanpole worried about his practice?

5. How does the man on the island feel about meeting the boys?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the boys get away from the man?

2. What do the boys figure out by lunch time?

3. What happens to Will when he is arrested?

4. What does Beanpole tell Will about what Ulf said about Will not being at the barge?

5. Why are Will, Henry, and Beanpole working so hard and at what are they working?

6. What kind of swimmer is Will and how does Beanpole help him?

7. Where does Will go to look for Ulf and what does he buy there?

8. How did the boys sleep that night and how do they wake up?

9. What does Will see on his first day on deck and how does he feel about it?

10. Who elects to stay below deck first and where do they stay?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Will left White Mountain to go to the games in hopes of entering the Tripod City he did so in order to find a way to fight the aliens. The two groups, Tripods and Humans are set up as evil and good. In a majority of fiction there are usually clear lines between "good and evil." Will runs into a small glitch in his good and evil thinking -- his Master decides to be friends and for the most part treats him well.

1. Although no true friendship can exist between a master and a slave -- the power distribution is too uneven, Will certainly fares better than Fritz. What do you think is meant by this statement? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Do you think in any group of people all of the members are either evil or good? For example is it possible there are some good in the aliens? Why or why not?

3. Describe a situation in the 21st. Century that you think represents an alignment of Good on one side, and of Evil on the other.

Essay Topic 2

At the conclusion of a novel, most readers either consciously or unconsciously engage in processing the book and usually come to a conclusion as to whether they like the book or not. Discuss one of the following:

1. Would you consider THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD a "good" book? Why or why not? Use examples to illustrate your stance.

2. What do you think are the elements of an outstanding novel? Analyze one of your favorite novels to see if those elements are present.

3. What are some reasons you might consider a novel a failure? Analyze a novel you think is a failure and see if those elements are in that novel.

Essay Topic 3

In the world of academe, science fiction is often considered an inferior form of the novel compared to "classic" literature. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think science fiction might be considered second-rate compared to the classics?

2. Do you think science fiction has the same elements as the classics? Why or why not?

3. What are the purposes do you think for people reading "the classics"? What are the purposed for people reading science fiction? Is one purpose better than another? Explain your response.

4. Would you read science fiction even outside an educational setting? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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