Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Why is Bear uncomfortable with Crispin calling him “sir”?

A) He doesn’t see himself as a master or tyrant.

B) He doesn’t consider himself worthy of the title.

C) He wants Crispin to broaden his vocabulary.

D) It reminds him of his father.

2. Which statement best describes Crispin’s feelings after seeing the man hanging from the gallows?

A) He wishes he could have been there to save the man.

B) He finds the situation darkly funny.

C) He realizes that he does not want to die.

D) He is confused by the man’s familiar face.

3. Which of the following is an example of The Instability of English Feudalism in the novel?

A) Lady Furnival fears that others will claim power after her husband’s death.

B) When England enters a drought, the economy falters.

C) Father Quinel encourages Crispin to fulfill his role as a serf.

A) Bear poaches a rabbit.

4. Apart from its religious significance, which of the following does Crispin’s cross of lead come to represent?

A) His hope for the future

B) The turning points in his life

C) His past, including his ancestry and heritage

D) The opposition he faces in uncovering the truth

5. Crispin’s opening observation in Chapter 1 that “in the midst of death comes life” prepares readers to look for which literary device throughout the text?

A) Understatement

B) Exaggeration

C) Metaphor

D) Irony

6. When Crispin plays his first song, he views it as a sign of what?

A) His luck is changing.

B) He does have a soul.

C) Bear is not his enemy.

D) Aycliffe is getting closer.

7. How does Crispin’s impression of the village of Lodgecot compare with his memories of Stromford?

A) He considers the villages to be nearly the same.

B) He prefers Stromford for its cooler weather.

C) He prefers Lodgecot for its fresher food.

D) He considers the two villages to be opposites.

8. Which of the following best describes Aycliffe’s tone when he first encounters Crispin in the Furnivals’ palace?

A) Envious

B) Condescending

C) Amused

D) Impatient

9. Which factor does not play a role in Crispin’s decision to leave behind his heritage as a son of Lord Furnival?

A) His negative opinion of Lord Furnival

B) He belief in freedom and equality

C) His loyalty to Bear

D) His respect for Lady Furnival

10. Which is an accurate paraphrase of Bear’s views about humor?

A) It serves no purpose, but it is harmless.

B) It is an essential aspect of a rich life.

C) There is a time and a place for it.

D) It is hollow, only a disguise.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. What helps Crispin to gain self-confidence over the course of the novel?

2. What do Aycliffe’s actions toward Crispin at the end of the novel reveal about his character and motivations?

3. Why do Bear and John Ball drift apart?