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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 belt does Will win?

2. What kind of illness does Will's master have?

3. How early do Will and Beanpole arrive at the games?

4. What do Will and Fritz do before they get into their groups the day after the games end?

5. What is one of the types of events masters attend?

Short Essay Questions

1. When do Will and Beanpole arrive at the Games, who do they see there and what do they do when they arrive?

2. Why do Will and Fritz talk about how to get out of the city, what do they think is the best way and what concerns Will?

3. What do the athletes do when they first arrive in the city?

4. When Will returns home after a long errand for his master what does he find out when he gets there?

5. What does Will's master decide is their relationship and what does he ask Will? What is Will's response?

6. How does Will get out of the city and who is waiting for him? What does that person do?

7. How are the athletes given to masters and how does Will's situation go in that event?

8. What kind of tasks must Will do for his master?

9. What happens as soon as Will arrives at his master's house?

10. How does Will get to his master's house, what does it look like and where might his master being in the social hierarchy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of THE CITY OF GOLD AND LEAD. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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