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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. When Bryn gives birth to a healthy baby girl, what does Claire shout at Alys?

2. What does Claire do with the signalling rock before she throws it down to Einar?

3. What is NOT one of the items Claire takes with her when she climbs out?

4. What does Claire do in order to repel another bird attack?

5. What reason does Claire give Alys for why her community had chosen to eradicate feelings of love in its citizens?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Alys tell Claire about the power of scent?

2. Why do Bethan, Delwyth, and Eira stop playing a pretend game involving babies and instead switch to playing tea party?

3. What does Einar reveal to Claire about his father?

4. What is Trademaster's attitude toward Claire's longing for her son?

5. What is the reason for Bryn's falling into despair and how does Alys try to help?

6. What elements of the job of fisherman make it dangerous for villagers who undertake the position?

7. Though Alys is childless herself, what experience does she have that qualifies her for the care of Claire upon Claire's arrival in the village?

8. For what element does Trademaster agree to trade Claire's son and what is the immediate result of the trade?

9. What is revealed about the relationship of Old Benedikt and Alys?

10. What exercises does Einar give Claire to do until the winter is over?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the significance of the novel's title and of the repeated references to sons throughout the narrative. What is the author's purpose in including the motif of male children, both in the title and throughout the narrative of the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Many of the novel's characters undergo experiences that radically transform their lives, taking them far away from the expectations they have previously held. Analyze at least three characters' transformative experiences, the effects these events have on their lives, their methods for dealing with these changes, and ultimately, the author's purpose for including these types of disparities between expectation and reality.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how the choice of an omniscient narrator to tell the story of Claire's life enabled the author to bridge the gap between Claire's life within the dystopian community and the world in which the reader lives and works.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,052 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample