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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 do Peter and his men enter the tower?

2. What makes the leader of the twelve men shriek and tremble?

3. What does Kreutz say he has done to obtain the item he places in the middle of the room?

4. What does Pan Andrew ask Joseph to do during the fire?

5. What is the best description of the explosions referenced in the Charnetskis' apartment?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the inside of the Church of Our Lady Mary look like?

2. What does Peter of the Button Face say to the king regarding why he is in Krakow in Chapter 15?

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

4. What do Jan Kanty and the king decide to do about the crystal in Chapter 16?

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

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

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

8. As of 1928, as described in the Epilogue, why do people go to the city of Krakow?

9. What is the ancient legend of Krakus?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Nicholas Kreutz and Johann Tring. Is Johann Tring truly evil, or does he just misunderstand the power of superstition? Why do you think the author portrays Kreutz as powerless against the trances of Tring? Do you think the author should have handled this conflict differently?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

The author emphasizes the importance of tradition in the lives of the Polish and Ukrainian people. Why do you think the author emphasized tradition in the novel? Was he just accurately describing the priorities of Polish people, or are there elements of symbolism apparent?

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