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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 old kingdom still exists in the north?

2. Where does Corlath encourage Harry to go in the camp?

3. What groups of people does Harry see in her vision?

4. How did the Homelanders obtain Istan?

5. What is the rumor about Corlath and magic?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does King Corlath look like, and what kind of mood is he in when the girls arrive at the residence?

3. What does Corlath have Harry do at the camp, why is she offended and what is Corlath's response to her anger?

4. What kind of news does Sir Charles announce at breakfast?

5. What happens when Harry wakes up after being taken by King Corlath?

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

7. What does Harry see when she drinks from the Water of Sight?

8. What does Harry see in the fire, what is her response and what is Corlath's response?

9. 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?

10. What does Jack discover about Harry during a dinner conversation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "The Blue Sword".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "The Blue Sword". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "The Blue Sword". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "The Blue Sword" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

As in many fantasy novels, magic is an inherent part of a few of the characters and can be wielded by other characters, though not as an inherent aspect of their nature. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the use of kelar in "The Blue Sword". Who possesses the ability to kelar as an inherent aspect of their nature? How does the inequality between those who can use it and those who cannot impact the plot of "The Blue Sword"?

2. Why do you think magic exists in so many fantasy novels? Do you think a novel can be "fantasy" and there be no magic as a part of the storyline? Why or why not.

3. Would you desire to possess the ability to use magic if there were such a talent in our world? Why or why not? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of possessing such an ability?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,214 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample