View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Dutiful ask Tom to tell him about?

2. What does Dutiful ask Tom about Lord Golden?

3. What does Tom offer Chade?

4. What happens to Tom when he goes into a public steam bath?

5. What does Dutiful want Tom to teach him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Tom goes to the tavern to look for Hap?

2. Why does Laurel decide to leave Buckkeep?

3. How is Tom able to go to his cottage to retrieve his belongings and what does he find when he arrives there?

4. Why is Tom sad at the beginning of the book, and what does Lord Golden say about Tom's sadness?

5. What happens in Dutiful's first skill lesson?

6. What does Dutiful say about the Narcheska, and what does Golden tell the prince?

7. What happens when Tom meets with the Queen in Chapter IV?

8. How does Tom speak with his daughter in Chapter III?

9. What does the boy from Bingtown ask Tom and what does he tell Tom?

10. Who is Starling, where does Tom see her and what happens after Jinna's when Tom leaves Starling?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "The Golden Fool" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "The Golden Fool" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

One of the common elements of fantasy is the presence of some sort of magic. Discuss the following:

1. What sort of cultural problems do you think the United States would have if it were suddenly discovered that 1% of its population possessed magical abilities similar to the Wit or the Skill?

2. If you had a choice between having the Wit or the Skill, which would you chose? Why?

3. Would you want to part of the 1% of the population that possesses magical abilities? Why or why not?

4. Do you think most people would use their magical abilities for good or evil? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

"The Golden Fool" is one book in a series of novels involving the Farseers. Discuss the following.

1. What are a couple advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What are a couple disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,223 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample