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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 young boys of the village admire the most?

2. Who does William Hamleigh almost run down with his powerful war horse?

3. What is the description of the priest who is one of the condemned man's accusers?

4. What does Aliena's and Richard's father make them vow to him?

5. Why do the townspeople find the whole situation of the hanging strange?

Short Essay Questions

1. When the condemned man dies, what is the reaction of the young pregnant girl to whom he was singing?

2. What is the deal that Archdeacon Waleran makes with Philip after the death of Prior James, the Prior of Kingsbridge?

3. What is the fate of the White Ship and its passengers after it sets sail from England in 1120?

4. What does Tom discover when he has a change of heart and goes back to Agnes' grave to get the baby?

5. Who is riding behind the oxcart that brings the condemned man to the gallows?

6. Summarize the location and outcome of the birth of Tom's third child.

7. How does Tom first meet Ellen and her son, Jack?

8. Of what is the crime that the condemned man has been found guilty?

9. What does the condemned man do as the noose is placed around his neck?

10. Describe the plan Philip devises to get more work done on the cathedral before the visit from Bishop Henry.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Summarize how Ken Follett uses local color and imagery to describe Kingsbridge and the cathedral.

2) Cite descriptive examples of landscaping, the monastery, the cathedral architecture, villagers, and the market.

3) How does the imagery Follett uses depict a clear and accurate picture of Kingsbridge and surrounding landscape?

Essay Topic 2

William Hamleigh is the main source of terror to many of the characters throughout the novel. He is mentioned in all parts of the story.

1) Explain the different images Follett gives of William as the book progresses including his fears and his aspirations.

2) What is the significance of William's character in each part of the novel?

3) How do his fears relate to the fate of William at the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

1) Imagine you are an historian reading Pillars of the Earth. Would you see the story as historically accurate?

2) Use details from the story to support your answer.

3) What plot or setting descriptions would you change to make it more historically accurate?

4) Are the historical figures, such as King Henry and Thomas Beckett, depicted accurately? Support the answer with examples from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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