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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. What are the Saxon armies preparing to do when they are attacked?

2. What is the name of Derfel's wife?

3. What is the name of Arthur's son?

4. What does the bishop think Powis is writing about at the beginning of the book?

5. What happens to Guinevere after her infidelity?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aelle say after Derfel has defeated the Saxon warrior in the court?

2. Why does Arthur send Derfel to confer with Aelle, and how does Derfel feel about this?

3. What is the climax of the battle against the Saxon armies?

4. What happens as Derfel and his men prepare to die in battle against the Saxon armies?

5. What is the one thing Arthur does NOT do while he is fighting with Derfel against the Saxons?

6. Why does Arthur get upset with Derfel while at the temple of Mithras?

7. What does the Saxon army do when they have Derfel and his men trapped?

8. What does Merlin do after Arthur puts an end to the ritual on Mai Dun?

9. What surprising news about Arthur does Derfel learn when he comes back from the Saxon king?

10. What is included in the first chapter with the purpose of helping the reader understand the plot better?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This book takes place in a few different settings. Describe some of these settings and how they affected the course of the plot. Why might Cornwell have chosen these particular places for this plot to take place?

Essay Topic 2

Many different characters in this book are persuaded to do things that they would not have done of their own accord? What are some of these instances, and how does persuasion affect the course of the plot?

Essay Topic 3

How does Gawain die, and what does this signify about the culture of this book?

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