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

2. Why did Ulf decide to leave when he did?

3. What is the name of the captain of the barge?

4. What do the boys decide to do?

5. How does Henry feel about not being chosen?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Will not want to do for the games and how did he get to White Mountain?

2. How do Will and Beanpole get food as they walk and what idea does Beanpole have about getting food? How did that work out for them?

3. What does Beanpole convince Moritz to do?

4. Why does Moritz become concerned when they stop at a small village?

5. What happens to Will when he is arrested?

6. Why do the boys want to win in their sporting event?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Loyalty is demonstrated in a number of ways, as is the lack of loyalty. Beanpole demonstrates his loyalty to Will several times in THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD. Discuss the following:

1. How do you define loyalty? Is the ability and desire to be loyal an admirable trait in humans? Why or why not? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being loyal to a person? Cause? Country? Idea? What of those who are loyal to something no matter what they learn about that person, thing, ideal, country, etc... -in other words, blind loyalty.

2. Discuss and analyze why you think Beanpole is loyal to Will. Is it warranted? Wise? Earned? What other instances of loyalty occur in The City of Gold and Lead? Is the way Will feels about the human race and freeing the world a form of loyalty?

3. What other admirable traits besides loyalty occur in THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD? Discuss fully two of those traits with specific examples.

Essay Topic 2

THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on an essentially, happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why? not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The boys steal Hans' boat and Will learns a lesson in human compassion as he sees the desperation in Hans' face when Hans realizes he cannot stop them from leaving with his only means to reach the nearby village. Will is touched and will remember that moment for the rest of his life, suggesting some character growth from this event. Discuss one of the following questions:

1. What is compassion? How is compassion shown? Why might Will learn compassion from watching Hans? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. What is the difference between compassion and pity? Discuss the implications of feeling pity versus feeling compassion. Use examples from the book to support your answer.

3. How did feeling compassion for Hans help Will grow? Compassion is generally associated with mature individuals. Do you think Will's growth made him more mature? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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