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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 Robin begin to make from within his little room in Section 2?

2. In Section 3, what does Brother Luke point out is another door in the wall?

3. Where do Brother Luke, Brother Matthews, and Robin make camp the first night on their journey?

4. How does Brother Luke help Robin with his crafting?

5. How does Brother Luke use Robin’s letter to his father in Section 3 as his first lesson in writing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how Robin comes to whittle a boat and a cross.

2. What does John de Bureford write in his letter to Robin? What does this mean for the young man?

3. Where are Robin’s mother and father in Section 1?

4. Explain what Robin begins crafting for himself in Section 4, and why it is so important for him to craft this item.

5. Explain Robin’s secret in Section 4. What can he now do, and what does this show?

6. Describe why Robin wishes to read and write.

7. Describe the journey to St. Mark’s.

8. Explain what Brother Luke means when he says reading is another door in the wall.

9. Describe St. Mark’s, including the various areas mentioned in the book.

10. What does John-go-in-the-Wynd bring back for Robin in Section 5, and what is its significance to the novel, and to Robin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Robin. Describe his outlook on his life at the beginning of the novel, and discuss how it changes throughout the novel. What happens to make his outlook change? What does he learn about his own abilities? What is he able to do by the end of the novel that makes him a success? What does this say about the power of one’s attitude?

Essay Topic 2

Brother Luke mentions that nicknames are often not critical, but merely representations of a person’s special qualities in name form. Think of three nicknames used in the novel, and explain them in detail. Why is the nickname chosen, and what about the person does it represent?

Essay Topic 3

Choose any character from the novel, and explain his or her role in the story. How do they interact with other characters? What lesson do they teach? Why did the author choose to include them? What is his or her class? His or her background? How does this tie into the story?

(see the answer keys)

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