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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 accidentally do in Section 3?

2. What do Brother Luke, Brother Matthews, and Robin roast in the fire in Section 5?

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

4. What does Robin learn in Section 4 that he will soon be using to move around?

5. How does Brother Luke get Robin to eat?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe the first morning on the road in Section 5. What did the group eat, and who did they meet?

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

5. Describe the afternoon on the road in Section 5. Why does Robin develop the urge to walk, and what does the peasant tell them about hunting for wood?

6. At the end of Section 1, Robin wonders what he has to be thankful for. What should he be thankful for, and what does this show about Robin at this point in the novel?

7. Describe Robin’s new friendships in Section 4. What do the boys do together, and how does Robin behave around the young children?

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

9. Describe why Robin wishes to read and write.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The language in the novel is period specific. What does the use of the language add to the story? Would you have been as engrossed in the book had the language been more modern? Would it have been as convincing of a tale? What does this tell you about the use of period language in a period piece? Did you find the conversations easy to follow at the beginning of the novel? What did you notice by the end of the novel, in terms of your ability to comprehend conversations?

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

Compare and contrast the character of Brother Luke with the character of Sir Peter. What are their similarities? What are their differences? How does each character help Robin in the story? Why does each character take the time to try to help Robin? What does this say about the role of different classes in the life of Robin?

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