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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. Where is the Charnetski family going with the caravan?

2. Chapter 1 begins in what month and year?

3. By what name do the Polish people know the stranger?

4. What distresses Kreutz as he listens to Tring?

5. In the midst of all the destruction after the attack on Krakow, there is one Polish person left alive. Who is it?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how the people of Poland feel when they hear that the Tartars are marching toward their land?

2. Describe the tower from which Pan Andrew has to perform his job.

3. Explain the feelings of the trumpeter as he plays for the last time.

4. Why does Joseph catch the wolf dog in Chapter 2?

5. What is Joseph's father being accused of in Chapter 3?

6. What was the meeting between Joseph and Stas like in the courtyard as described in Chapter 6?

7. Explain why many people seek Jan Kanty's advice.

8. In Chapter 2, what does Pan Andrew Charnetski tell the guard when he arrives at the palace gates and what is the guard's response?

9. Explain what Joseph Charnetski does and what he realizes when the stranger initially rides up to him while in the caravan in Chapter 1.

10. What does Pan Andrew explain to Jan Kanty in Chapter 4 once the mob scene has dissipated?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are the life lessons that the author is trying to teach throughout this novel? Do you think this kind of teaching can make an impact on a young person today?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the fire. Discuss how the solution today for putting out fires is the same as the solution was in the Middle Ages. Compare today's methods of solving the problem with the methods of solving the problem in the Middle Ages. Do you think that the Middle Ages' method of putting out fires was smart and effective? Other than to teach a historically accurate event, why do you think the author goes to such great lengths to describe the methods of putting out the fire?

Essay Topic 3

Did you like the author's use of science as he describes how Kreutz frightens Peter of the Button Face with the explosions? Why or why not? Was this combination of attacking with science believable? Was it consistent with the belief in magic at the time? Or do you think this scene was used by the author to prove that science triumphs over superstition and sorcery? Why or why not?

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