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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 does Beanpole tell the man on the island is the reason Will keeps asking about fighting the Tripods?

2. When does the man wake the boys the next morning?

3. What does the man on the island want the boys to do?

4. Why do the men get agitated when Will tells them the place he is supposedly from?

5. Why is Beanpole worried about his practice?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the boys end up in the river?

2. What do the boys do when they wake up and what does Hans show them?

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

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

5. Why are the three friends chosen to compete?

6. How does Henry feel about missing out on the games?

7. What do Will and Beanpole do when they leave the village?

8. How does Will treat Fritz and how does Fritz respond? How does Will feel about Fritz's response?

9. What was Will forced to do in his journey to White Mountain?

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

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Will is no exception. His determination and survival powers might contrast to his immaturity and temper. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze situations when Will demonstrates his determination. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Will's character flaws offering specific examples of these flaws in your discussion.

3. Discuss how you think Will's admirable traits helped him perform his mission. Have his flaws impacted his mission at all? Do any of those who are with him seem to notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

In The City of Gold and Lead, the main hero is a male, as in a large percentage of novels. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think novels more often have a male hero than a female one?

2. Do you believe there are girls as capable (or more so) than Will or Fritz? Would the novel be as interesting to you if a girl were was one of the human spies? Why or why not.

3. Do you think females (in the real world) are just as likely and capable as males to be heroes? Why or why not.

4. Would you rather read a book with a male or female hero or do you have a preference. Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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