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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 do Harry's friends father feel about the desert?

2. What does Corlath think is the reason his people would lose in a war against the North?

3. What does Mathin teach Harry to do at night?

4. What does one of the persons in her vision carry?

5. Who does Sir Charles have on hand who knows Hill speech?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. 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?

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

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

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

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

9. What does Harry do after breakfast, who befriends her and what does Corlath do to prepare her for the rest of the journey?

10. Why is Mathin a rider and why is he training Harry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Harry is in some ways a larger-than-life heroine. Despite incredible odds, she comes out on top, such as winning the laprun or destroying the Northern army. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life heroine make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on her feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Harry who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Whenever reading a science fiction or fantasy novel, one must become familiar with new terminology that explains concepts or ideas that are not a part of the "real" world. In the case of "The Blue Sword", much of the setting may seem familiar to the reader (i.e. there are woods, mountains, rivers, oceans, etc.), though there are new ideas and terms to learn. Discuss the following:

1. Find five terms that are a part of the world of "The Blue Sword" that occur in the "real" world but are used differently in the book.

2. Define the words as used in "The Blue Sword" world and compare those five words as to how they are currently used in the American English language.

3. There are ways of learning about a new world or time when reading a science fiction or fantasy novel. Discuss the ways you were able to understand the world of "The Blue Sword". Did you have to look up any words? What does it mean to learn a word through its context? Do you have to do that in "The Blue Sword"? What word(s)?

4. Were there any words you never really understood from "The Blue Sword"? Which ones?

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "The Blue Sword". Questions that McKinley most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the McKinley' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss McKinley' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of McKinley and see if/where her life may have influenced her writing.

(see the answer keys)

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