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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 kind of dog did the people in the third house Beanpole went to for food?

2. What happens to the boys' raft?

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

4. How many days early do the boys arrive at the docks?

5. Who tells the boys of the plans for the competitors?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to Will when he is arrested?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD, there are other sentient beings besides humans, though they seem to have a greater status than humans. Discuss the following:

1. List and describe all the sentient, non-human beings.

2. Why do you think most of the the non-human, sentient beings are accorded greater status? Is it fair? Are they superior to human beings?

4. Why do you think Christopher creates a world where non-humans are of greater status?

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

Will discovers that the atmosphere is difficult for humans and the air completely incompatible with human life. This causes humans to suffer and age quickly, making them unable to survive inside the city for very long, which might suggest why no one has ever come out of the Tripod cities. It also does not bode well for Will and Fritz who have just become slaves to alien Masters.

1. Slavery has been in existence since the earliest records of humans. Discuss the disadvantages of slavery to a society and to a culture as a whole.

2. Discuss the advantages of slavery to those in power and (possibly will need research) why slavery became a part of human civilizations.

3. Discuss the symbolism between the air the Tripods breath being incompatible with human life and the fact that the Tripods' presence on earth have created a world of slaves who are under absolute control. Illustrate your statements with details from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 963 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample