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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 is the reader supposed to view the setting?

2. What does the shepherd tell the men at the snow house?

3. What does Amara do with the salt water on her body?

4. Who tells Beneditx he needs his assistance?

5. How do they get Amara cleaned up?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is waiting for Severo when he returns home?

2. What does Palinor tell Beneditx about the need to explain everything?

3. What did Joffre ask Palinor and what was his reply?

4. What happened to Amara that put her into her present condition when brought back to the Abbey?

5. When a man comes up to Amara and Josefa as they cut nettles what does he tell them?

6. What does Palinor say about men who break the law?

7. What about Gaspar and his life does Severo think of while he is riding to see Palinor?

8. What does Joffre tell Palinor about Dolca?

9. What do Severo and Beneditx debate about and what are each of their views?

10. What does Severo suggest to Beneditx?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While Amara has survived, her savage upbringing and subsequent gang rape have subjected her to horrible atrocities. God is clearly not present in, or protecting, her life.

1. What type of agenda do you think the author has by showing a girl like Amara who has suffered so much?

2. Do you think a child in real life could experience what Amara has and be as well as she has become? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think the shepherds who gang raped Amara were not arrested for the crime?

Essay Topic 2

The theme of whether coincidences or luck have a place in a world supposedly ruled by God comes into play in Chapter 1.

1. What do you think the statement above means? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. There are some belief systems which state there are no coincidences. Discuss what you think about this belief.

3. Do you think the theme of whether coincidences or luck have a place in a world is adequately supported in the first chapter? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Now that Beneditx has spent time with Palinor, he realizes that a man can be good without knowing God. Palinor has been nothing but kind and respectful to the people he has encountered, and he has used his time at Saracen's House to study and to make practical improvements to the grounds and for its servants.

1. Write a comparison of how Beneditx's and Palinor's relationship has changed compared to two persons from very different cultures who get to know each other well.

2. If nonbelievers can be good and believers can be bad, explain what you think creates a good or a bad person.

3. Do you think Palinor is being illogical for helping people who might put him to death? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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