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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. Why does Sister Herluva run to find Merewyn?

2. At the beginning of Chapter 7, where is Merewyn living?

3. What does Merewyn hope her prayers will accomplish?

4. Who is Gunner?

5. What is Dunstan suggesting to Rumon after his stay at Glastonbury Abbey?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Merewyn changed since she first came to work for Alfrida in the Queen's Bower?

2. How did Alfrida act toward Edward in the beginning of Chapter 6?

3. Describe Caw when he is first introduced in Chapter 1.

4. How does Elfled describe the dream she had to Merewyn while in Ramsey Abbey's garden on the feast of the Assumption?

5. When Merewyn arrives at the Great Hall of Lydford Castle, how does she describe it?

6. Detail Rumon's vision at Tre-Uther.

7. Describe Rumon's appearance when he first meets Merewyn.

8. Why did Rumon leave his homeland?

9. What does King Edgar look like when Rumon and Merewyn first encounter him?

10. What did the monastery behind the small church that is dedicated to St. Petroc look like when Rumon saw it for the first time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the role of the Catholic Church in "Avalon?" How does the Church influence decisions made by the characters? How would the characters decisions be different if the Church didn't have such pervasive effect in Medieval society?

Essay Topic 2

In "Avalon," some of the characters are given positive, sympathetic portrayals. Others have negative, perhaps even villainous portrayals. Others may be introduced as negative but gradually become positive. How does Seton indicate which characters are positive and which are negative? What details, actions, and characteristics does Seton give us to help us define which characters are "good" in the novel and which ones are "bad?" Explain how you are able to tell the difference.

Essay Topic 3

How does the title of the novel, "Avalon," relate to the novel itself? Is the title descriptive? A statement of the theme? Or something else altogether? Why Did Seton choose the title "Avalon" over other possibilities? Analyze the relationship between title and novel, paying attention to the reasons that the title highlights something that the Seton wants readers to know or come to understand about the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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