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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’s father plan to tell his mother, according to the letter in Section 5?

2. What does Geoffrey call Robin?

3. What does Robin accidentally do in Section 3?

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

5. What does Brother Luke explain about nicknames?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe what happens to cause Robin’s outburst in Section 3, and Brother Matthew’s response.

4. Describe how Robin comes to the nickname Crookshanks.

5. Explain what happened to Robin that makes him require assistance.

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

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

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

9. Describe Brother Luke’s arrival in Section 1, and Robin’s reaction.

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

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

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 3

There are a number of important themes in the novel, including self-esteem, learning to overcome obstacles, courage, kindness, and many others. Choose at least two themes in the novel, and explain their use throughout the story. How does the author incorporate these themes, and why do you think they are important?

(see the answer keys)

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