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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 Tom think about his life?

2. What do Lady Grey and Lady Elizabeth attempt to do with Tom?

3. Where does Tom's family live?

4. Why can't Henry remember some of his actions?

5. What does John Canty do when the prince struggles against him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Miles looking for Edward? What does he think Edward might have done?

2. What does Tom do on the first day in which they believe he is the king?

3. How does Tom like the king's duties? What criminals does he see a couple of days after he becomes the king?

4. What do Hertford and St. John decide individually and together about Tom?

5. What does Tom do that Edward wouldn't do while eating? How does everyone react?

6. Where does Edward go the first time he escapes from Canty and the others?

7. Where does Edward take Tom after he is ruffed up by the palace guards? What does Edward tell Tom about his family?

8. What is Tom's house like? Who lives there with him?

9. Why is Tom taken to meet with Lord St. John and Lord Hertford? Who else comes in to talk with Tom? How does he feel about them?

10. Where does the prince go when he is lost in the crowd?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is interesting that the hermit thinks of himself as a holy man, yet he is angered by how Henry VIII thwarted the hermit's ambition. In retaliation, the hermit wants to kill the king's son and, because the hermit is crazy, he has no trouble believing that Edward is the prince. Twain seems to be making a point that religion, like Nature, has two sides. It can be nurturing or it can produce dangerous behavior.

1. Explain some examples of religion as a nurturing force in the world.

2. Explain some examples of religion as a destructive force in the world.

3. Overall, in the history of the world, and considering all major religions, do you think religion has been a positive or negative force in the world? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

If Tom had not recognized, almost by accident, that he had the power to change people's lives with a word, the state of boredom might have gone on indefinitely. His initial interest in the prisoners he sees from the palace windows is just curiosity, but then he realizes that he can command them to come before him and hear about their cases.

1. The power Tom realizes he has interests him much more than the riches available to him. Discuss why you think power would be more tempting than riches to Tom. Use examples from The Prince and the Pauper to support your ideas.

2. Some would say that power and wealth are two sides of the same coin, one cannot have one without the other. Do you think this is true? Why or why not? Use examples from The Prince and the Pauper to support your ideas.

3. If you were offered large wealth but complete anonymity and no power or a lot of power over events but no wealth, which would you choose? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Tom's charmed existence continues, while Edward's troubles only deepen, until he finally gets help from Miles Hendon. Just as this brave soldier rescues the boy, Tom reacts to news of the king's death by issuing a command to rescue the Duke of Norfolk from execution. Again, the contrast between Edward's helplessness and Tom's power is forcefully made.

1. Discuss the above statement in terms of power. Use examples from The Prince and the Pauper to support your ideas.

2. Discuss the ways in which Edward and Tom can both adapt to the huge changes in their lives. Use examples from The Prince and the Pauper to support your ideas.

3. Overall, how believable is the plot of this book? Discuss why it could seem real and why it seems completely unbelievable. For example, when the guards first pushed Edward out the gate, is it believable that palace guards wouldn't recognize their prince even dressed in rags? Use examples from The Prince and the Pauper to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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