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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 gives Daniel power over Sir Isaac in Chapter 24?

2. Who delivers Jack's expensive suit?

3. What does the King's messenger hope to find at Clerkenwell Court?

4. What happens after Sir Isaac and Leibniz bid each other farewell?

5. Who does the King name First Lord of the Treasury?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Daniel feel about what happens to Ravenscar in Chapter 9, and what must he now handle by himself?

2. How much does the gold weigh, and what is the significance of that weight?

3. Why is William Ham willing to assist Daniel and Saturn smuggle the Solomonic gold?

4. Though torture is a punishment, does Jack gain anything positive from the experience?

5. What is the procedure for testing the gold guinea samples?

6. Why does the exchange between Jack and his visitor sicken Daniel?

7. 'Translate' two of Jack Ketch and Jack Shaftoe's riddles to each other, as they speak to confuse onlookers and listeners.

8. How has Sir Isaac made many enemies for himself, according to Chapter 33?

9. What is White's offer to Jack, and how does Jack respond?

10. In what ways has Sir Isacc been put at a disadvantage in obtaining proof?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the ways Stephenson gives Jack the coinier consistent character and voice throughout the book and compare this with Partry's existence in the book. Were there clues to Partry's identity, or is his revelation a complete shock to the reader?

Essay Topic 2

In Daniel and Sir Isaac's time, patenting laws and intellectual property rights did not exist to protect inventors and natural philosophers. What problems do the characters run into with the threat of someone stealing their ideas, and how do they protect themselves? How do you think these disputes would be settled if they occurred today?

Essay Topic 3

Daniel is instrumental in the reconcilement between Leibniz and Sir Isaac. Compare and contrast Daniel's role in relation to each man. Analyze how key events of the book would have been different if Leibniz and Sir Isaac had reconciled earlier on.

(see the answer keys)

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