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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 is the wooden object Robin begins whittling at the opening of Section 4?

2. What interrupts the serene day at the river in Section 4?

3. What does Robin put on his creation in Section 4 to complete it?

4. What does Robin mean by hunger “saucing” the pasty?

5. What does Brother Luke begin teaching Robin to do in Section 4?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What happens when Robin goes fishing, and how does this help him gain upper body strength, and determination?

4. Describe Robin’s actions, in relation to Ellen, at the beginning of the novel.

5. Describe the town as it is decorated for Midsummer Eve. What does Robin see?

6. Where does the group sleep the first night of their journey, and why does Robin think this is such an important adventure?

7. Describe how Robin comes to the nickname Crookshanks.

8. Explain what Brother Luke does to help Robin gain upper body strength, and how he helps him when his muscles tire.

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

10. Describe what Robin sees and hears during his first days at St. Mark’s.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Robin accidentally slips using the chisel, and breaks his cross, what is his reaction? What does this show, in terms of his character? What is Brother Matthew’s response? What does he mean when he notes that a bad temper is not the best teacher? What does this lesson teach Robin?

Essay Topic 2

Robin’s relationship with his father, from the beginning of the novel, appears to be based on Robin’s respect for his father, and his desire to be like his father. How is this relayed by the author when Robin’s father is not a present character in the novel? How does Robin see his father? What does the letter to his father say about his feelings toward his father? What instances does Robin show awe toward his father’s ability? What does his father’s response at the end of the novel, when he returns home, say about his feelings for his son?

Essay Topic 3

Religion plays a powerful role in the novel for Brother Luke. Explain why his religion is so important. How does he convey his love and loyalty to God? How does he convey to Robin the need to pray, and to be thankful to God for blessings? Why is religion and the role of the monks important in the novel to others in London?

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