View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Dresden have to keep his magical energies under control?

2. What is the living repository of all knowledge?

3. What advice does Molly offer Harry?

4. What does Harry suggest to Murphy?

5. What are will, skill, energy and flesh?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Harry tell Father Vincent when Harry calls him?

2. What does the spirit of Bob the Skull tell Harry?

3. About what is Susan there to warn Harry?

4. What do Ebenezar McCoy and Harry talk about on the phone?

5. Why does Susan interrupt the kiss between her and Harry?

6. What is a suppression spell and why does Harry have to cast it?

7. What does Harry learn about the corpse while at the morgue?

8. How does Harry arm himself and why does it then seem unnecessary?

9. Where does Ulsharavas tell Harry the Shroud is and what does she say in addition to giving the location?

10. What does Susan ask Harry and what is his reply?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Death Masks is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Death Masks is one book in a series of novels involving Harry Dresden. Discuss the following.

1. What are a couple advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What are a couple disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a stand alone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in Death Masks. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in Death Masks. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of knowing yourself in Death Masks. Consider the apparent lack of self knowledge of Harry as opposed to Shiro who seems to know himself well.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,075 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample