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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 is the response of the masons when Jack tells them he has to let half the workers go?

2. What does Waleran promise to do for William for any of the wrongdoings he may commit?

3. Why does Alfred throw Aliena out of the house?

4. Where does Aliena go to find Jack?

5. How does the master builder of William's church find masons to hire?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Waleran tell William he should do in order to earn more money for the earldom?

2. Why is Jack angry with the conditions Philip gives him in order for him to be master builder of Kingsbridge cathedral?

3. Why does Alfred force Aliena to sleep on the floor at the foot of the bed?

4. What are the changes Alfred proposes for the cathedral when Philip names him as master builder?

5. Why does Richard decide to join the Christian crusades fighting in the Holy Land?

6. How is William's mismanagement of Shiring evident throughout the countryside?

7. Why does Alfred come to see Jack after 10 years with no communication?

8. What does William Hamleigh decide to do in order to increase the wealth of Shiring when he takes control after his father's death?

9. Describe the scene between Jack and Alfred after Alfred tells Jack that his real father was hanged as a thief.

10. Summarize the first meeting between Jack and Aliena when Jack finds her reading in the woods.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Summarize the building of the new cathedral at Kingsbridge from the time the old church is burned down to the completion of the cathedral many years later.

2) Include the architectural styles used by each of the three master builders that were hired throughout the years and the setbacks to the cathedral construction.

3) Describe the style of the completed Kingsbridge Cathedral and the master builder's design.

Essay Topic 2

1) Describe the events following the sinking of the White Ship.

2) What is the fate of lone survivor and how is he involved with Aliena, Jack, Waleran Bigot, Percy Hamleigh, and Prior James?

3) How does the survivors' lives affect the lives of these characters?

4) Cite examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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