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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. For what was Corlath asking at the meeting?

2. In what Province is Istan?

3. Why is Corlath angry when he leaves the Residency?

4. What did Corlath's father say kelar often was?

5. What is a rumor concerning Corlath?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Harry sent to live, why does she go there, who is she going to live with and what is her new home like?

2. Why does Corlath want to take Harry and how does he do it?

3. How do those who grew up in Istan feel about the environment, and what does Harry discover about Jack and Istan?

4. Why do Harry and Mathin leave camp and who wakes Harry at night?

5. What is Corlath feeling as he leaves the Residency, and what is having to do as he is leaving and why?

6. Who does Amelia tell Harry to bring to lunch and what does Harry think of her new home?

7. What does Mathin show her about fire, what can he not teach her and why and what do they do after Harry's sixth week of training?

8. What happens with Harry as the group travels and what does she realize about her home with Sir Charles and Lady Amelia?

9. Why do the girls decide to return to Harry's home and what do they find there? What is strange about it to them?

10. What do the girls do when they are back in the Residency and what does Jack say about how Corlath was feeling?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "The Blue Sword", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in "The Blue Sword". (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "The Blue Sword". 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 "The Blue Sword". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in "The Blue Sword". Consider the death of Harry's old life as well as the death of the members of the army killed in action.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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