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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. How many rooms does the Charnetskis' new dwelling have?

2. What has Joseph learned to do by the time fall arrives?

3. Who lives above the Charnetskis?

4. As Chapter 1 opens, which of the following describes the caravan?

5. In Chapter 7, what tempting thing does Tring tell Kreutz?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Explain how the Polish people feel as they have to leave their villages because they know the Tartars are arriving.

4. What does the reader learn about the stranger in Chapter 8?

5. Describe the agreement that Elzbietka and Joseph make to one another when in the tower in Chapter 8.

6. In Chapter 1, after the stranger offers to buy the item sitting in Pan Andrew's wagon, what happens?

7. Describe the caravan from Chapter 1.

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

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

10. In Chapter 8, Stas identifies Joseph and Elzbietka to a stranger. What information does he provide to the stranger?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What do you think about the throwing of the crystal into the river? Why do you think the author concludes in this manner? Do you think the act of throwing the crystal away is symbolism for a cultural belief? If so, what do you think that symbolism is?

Essay Topic 2

What historical understanding about the Middle Ages did you gain from reading this novel? Do you think that this type of history presentation is an effective way of teaching the subject matter? Why or why not? Would you have preferred to learn about Krakow from a text book?

Essay Topic 3

Do you think that Peter of the Button Face's bargain with the king was fair? Do you think the king should have let Peter go in exchange for information? Or do you think he should have punished him more severely? Why do you think the king would have believed that Peter would never return to Poland again?

(see the answer keys)

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