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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 happens after the proceedings begin at the trial of the Pyx?

2. What does Johann beg Leibniz NOT to continue?

3. What is the name of Danny and Jimmy's friend in Carolina?

4. What is significant about the trial date for the Pyx?

5. What does Jack believe he's found under the stress of torture?

Short Essay Questions

1. What unusual occurrences has Jack experienced, and what is mysterious about them?

2. How has Dappa turned the tables on White by this point in the story?

3. What are Daniel's conflicting thoughts about sacking Sir Isaac as master of the mint?

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

5. What happens to Jack, according to the Epilogs?

6. Describe Sir Isaac's illness.

7. What are the negative aspects and results of the coronation of the king?

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

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

10. What is Sir Isaac's plan to discover the location of the manufactured phosphorus?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many narratives foreshadow the conclusion of the story through subtle hints or blatant clues. Select an event in Book 8 whose outcome was hinted in earlier books or chapters, and examine the methods used to indicate what would happen later. Was the event in Book 8 ultimately a surprise to you?

Essay Topic 2

The fate of England's currency is a major subject throughout the narrative: why does counterfeiting pose such a threat of unbalancing national stability? Be sure to explain Sir Isaac's role and effect in regard to England's economy.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 711 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample