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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 does the narrator say is eating Spain's heart?

2. The dead woman's head dress and gown lend her the look of __________.

3. How are offenses settled at the de la Vega gate?

4. Inigo thinks the woman he can hear screaming is ______________.

5. What prayer does Inigo have to recite?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Inigo let Altriste down again in this section?

2. How has Malatesta's attitude towards Inigo changed?

3. How have the priests convinced the nuns at the convent to sleep with them?

4. Describe the fight between the Inquisition and the men.

5. How does Inigo eavesdrop on the conversation that takes place in this section?

6. How does Inigo earn the soldier's respect in this section?

7. Why is Alatriste thinking of returning to the Netherlands?

8. Describe the conversation between Inigo and Angelica in this section?

9. How are the de le Cruzes and their hired swords found out?

10. How do the Domincans interrogate Inigo?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the book's reception in three different countries, including the country the book was written. How do the countries' opinions about the books differ? Was the book more influential in one country than another? If so, why?

Essay Topic 2

Examine Inigo's character across the whole series. How does the author develop Inigo's character across the whole series? What new elements does Purity of Blood add to Inigo's character?

Essay Topic 3

What does the book suggest about how Spanish society dealt with Jewish people in the 17th century? Why does the theme of anti-semitism still have a powerful impact in 2006?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 851 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample