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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 significant about the year that Will's father went missing?

2. What does Lyra see on top of the tower after the children have fled in Cittagazze?

3. What does Lyra do after Sir Charles locks away the alethiometer?

4. What does Lyra hear coming from the window that leads to Will's world?

5. What does Lyra tell Will would happen to the alethiometer if she began using it to spy on people for her enjoyment?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Will's father as he is detailed in chapter one, "The Cat and the Hornbeam Trees".

2. In chapter four, what does Lyra suddenly begin considering after she sees the initials SP carved into a stone on the corner of Catte Street?

3. What does Grumman explain had surprised him when he first stepped into Lee's world?

4. What does Sir Charles explain he would like to do with one of the two bodyguards that Mrs. Coulter carries?

5. In chapter six what do the men at the bar tell Lee about the new world?

6. In chapter fifteen, describe the feelings that Will can't quite put into words when Lyra asks him why they should be finding Will's father.

7. In the second chapter what does Fra Pavel exaplain about Lyra and the alethiometer?

8. Describe the scene where the witches attempt to heal Will's hand in chapter thirteen.

9. What does the witch, Lena Feldt, find about the men that are following them in the beginning of chapter fifteen?

10. Why is Will angry when Lyra begins reading the alethiometer about his life and his father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are several different "monsters" in the story. Define the characteristics of zombies, Specters and Ghasts. How are these beings different from humans? How are the humans different from the angels that have been seen?

Essay Topic 2

Lyra and Will are both focused on as important characters in the book. Compare Lyra and Will's characters. What are their differences? Similarities? Why is it important that Will and Lyra stay together?

Essay Topic 3

Pantalaimon is the same as Lyra but different than her in many ways. Write the characteristics that define Lyra. Write down the characteristics that define Pantalaimon. Are there any differences between these two characters? What is significant about the differences?

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