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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. Once Tring sees what Kreutz puts in the middle of the room, what does he understand?

2. What instrument is playing in the church in the Epilogue?

3. What do the people try to do with their possessions during the fire?

4. Who does Pan Andrew say is intent on stealing the crystal?

5. In Chapter 16, what happens to the Great Tarnov Crystal?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Jan Kanty arrives at the tower with Kreutz in Chapter 14, what does Pan Andrew observe?

2. Describe the Vistula River as it is explained in the Epilogue.

3. What happens when Kreutz actually mixes the ingredients to make the Philosopher's Stone in Chapter 13?

4. Describe how the people of Krakow put out fires in general and in Chapter 14.

5. What sounds does the Epilogue say one hears coming from the church?

6. Explain what happens after Kreutz grabs the crystal from the king's hands.

7. Describe how the Epilogue explains the Heynal is played.

8. What does Pan Andrew tell the king about the Great Tarnov Crystal in Chapter 15?

9. Explain what happens to the Charnetski family at the end of Chapter 16.

10. Describe the chief glory of the city of Krakow as it is explained in the Epilogue.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Does the author provide insight into why so many people believed in superstition or the black arts, or is the reader left wondering why it was so important to the people in the novel? Was this a satisfying way to address the issue or do you wish the author would have handled it differently?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss what you think is the climax of the novel. Does more than one climax exist? Which do you think is the most effective? As you were reading, did you think that the book was almost over? Was the multiple use of exciting scenes effective in making the novel exciting for the reader?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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