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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. Whom does Mr. Mnason know in the group?

2. Who helps Matthew?

3. What do the people who stop the group as they leave the Gatekeeper’s house threaten?

4. What does Great Heart kill to protect the group after leaving House Beautiful?

5. What has happened to the group by the time they leave Vanity?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the group see when they pass the spot where Christian met Sloth and his friends?

2. What does the group see as they come to House Beautiful and how did Christian deal with it? How does Great Heart deal with it?

3. Why does Christiana decide to go on a journey?

4. What does the group’s rescuer tell them and where do they go next? What do they see there first?

5. What happens when the group is on Enchanted Ground and who meets them at BeulahLand?

6. What does the group do when it prepares to leave and what is the consequence of that action?

7. What hill did the group climb and what were they shown as they approached House Beautiful?

8. What happens to the group shortly after leaving Vanity?

9. What happens to the group in the morning at the Interpreter’s house and what does he do before the group leaves? Where are they going next?

10. What does Honest tell them about Fearing and how does the group feel after hearing that story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Setting is a literary element with many qualities: It can establish mood, tone, and circumstances. It can also contribute directly to a novel's plot. Discuss one of the following regarding setting in The Pilgrim's Progress:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Pilgrim’s Progress.

2. In what ways does the author employ symbolism and imagery in his depictions of the settings in the narrative? What do the settings themselves represent symbolically or metaphorically?

3. What themes are developed through the author's depictions of settings in The Pilgrim's Progress? How are they developed?

Essay Topic 2

Although the characters in The Pilgrim's Progress are allegorical representations of ideas, temptations, and assets, they are an integral aspect of the novel. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Christian and Great Heart. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Christiana and Mercy. How do they seem different? Who do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Pilgrim’s Progress help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following regarding the literary technique of the dream sequence that is employed in The Pilgrim's Progress:

1. What is a dream sequence in narrative literature? How does this term apply to the narrative in The Pilgrim's Progress?

2. What are the advantages of employing a dream sequence or frame in a novel? What are the disadvantages?

3. What does the frame of the dream sequence say about the content of the story itself?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 992 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample