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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. Why are Edward and Miles separated?

2. Tom's mother knows who he is because ____________.

3. What does Miles want from Sir Marlow?

4. Who threw the old man in the hut out of London?

5. Why is Edward relieved?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Edward and Miles do when they leave Hendon Hall?

2. How has Tom adapted to his role as king?

3. What does Miles do when he and Edward get separated?

4. What happens to Miles when he first arrives at the palace and asks to see Sir Humphrey?

5. How does Tom feel when he sees his mother in the crowd? What does he do? What does she do?

6. Where do Miles and Edward go after leaving the constable? Describe the place.

7. Whom does Edward meet the morning after he escapes from Canty and the gang? What do they do with him?

8. Who interrupts the hermit's plans for Edward? How does he miss seeing Edward?

9. Who picks a fight with Edward? Who wins? What happens because of the fight's outcome?

10. What does Hugh suggest as Edward's punishment? What happens as a result of the suggestion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tom realizes that finding out as much as possible about the criminals' cases is the best way to determine their guilt or innocence. His careful examination of their situation shows that good judgment, and even wisdom, are not the sole province of either royalty or adults. In giving Tom personal knowledge of the man who was accused of murder, Twain shows how wrong justice can be.

1. Do you think it is conceivable that a boy from the slums would have the wisdom to figure out how to look at evidence in a criminal case and render such an astute judgment? Why or why not? Use examples from The Prince and the Pauper to support your ideas.

2. Do you think there are innocent people in prison in the United States? Explain your reasoning.

3. If Tom had not known personally that the man he saved from execution had a solid alibi, what steps could he have taken to get to the truth of the man's situation?

Essay Topic 2

The huge gap between nobility and the peasantry in 16th century England is apparent by simply stating that Tom's family did not welcome his birth, while the entire country rejoiced at the arrival of Prince Edward.

1. Do you think the above statement is true? Why or why not? Use examples from The Prince and the Pauper to support your ideas.

2. Discuss the implications that exist for a family below the poverty level to add another child to the family.

3. How do you think not being wanted by his parents affected Tom emotionally? Might it have affected him in other ways? Use examples from The Prince and the Pauper to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Like many novels, The Prince and the Pauper ends on a happy (or at least optimistic) note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think most people want a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each reason in light of The Prince and the Pauper. How many of the reasons mentioned are fulfilled by the book? Using details from the book, explain how The Prince and the Pauper fulfills or fails to fulfill each reason.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

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