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

2. How do Christiana and Mercy interpret the images which they are shown by the Interpreter?

3. Where does the group stop for the night after meeting Honest?

4. What is the group of pilgrims first shown at the Interpreter’s house?

5. Why does the group send a message to the Interpreter?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is in the dream Christiana has before she leaves her home?

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

4. 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?

5. Who visits Christiana while she is preparing to depart and what happens?

6. What happens when the group gets to the Wicket Gate?

7. What does the group ask Great Heart when they get to House Beautiful and what is his response?

8. 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?

9. What do the men of the group do? Who marries James? Who marries Matthew?

10. What does the Interpreter show the group that he did not show Christian?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Narrative structure refers to a novel's structural framework and the order and manner in which a story is presented to a reader. Answer and discuss the following regarding the narrative structure of The Pilgrim's Progress.

1. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Pilgrim’s Progress, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult or easy to identify the plot elements of this novel? Why?

2. Identify and discuss the major sub-plots and their elements in The Pilgrim’s Progress. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots contribute to the main plot? Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, considering whether or not they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not? Do you think that John Bunyan's beliefs and life are reflected in The Pilgrim's Process? If so, how?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Pilgrim’s Progress help a reader to know him/herself? In what ways do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Pilgrim’s Progress?

3. Choose one specific incident in The Pilgrim’s Progress and compare a character's response to how you think you would respond. Would you respond differently to the circumstances? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think The Pilgrim’s Progress is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Does the title of The Pilgrim's Progress directly relate to its contents? If so, how? If not, how might the title change to reflect its content?

3. Why do you think the author of The Pilgrim's Progress has chosen not to delineate chapters by title names in this novel? If you were to title the chapters of the book, how would you do so?

(see the answer keys)

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