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 Laudwine do to Tom when they are fighting?

2. What does Chade suggest to Tom about the coterie?

3. What does Tom demand of Golden and Chade while he is recovering?

4. How often does Tom want Dutiful and Thick to have a lesson?

5. Who had the same problem with Tom as Dutiful in the Skill?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Tom worry about Dutiful and how are the Skill lessons going with the coterie?

2. How does Tom get Thick's red whistle to him, what does he tell Dutiful and Thick and what does Dutiful think of Thick?

3. What idea does Tom discuss in the epilogue?

4. What is Golden, why does Kebal hate him and what does Golden say Kebal will do if she comes to power?

5. What rumor is passed around about Laudwine's death?

6. What happens between Tom and Svanja's father and what does Hap tell Tom about love?

7. What does Hap tell Tom about Svanja and what is Tom's response?

8. What does Golden want to do about the quest and how does Chade handle Golden and why does Chade do what he does with Golden?

9. How does Tom heal from his stab wound?

10. How does Tom find out about Civil and the Piebalds and what does he hear about them? What does Tom do about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"The Golden Fool" falls in the genre called fantasy. Discuss the following:

1. What is the definition of genre? Fantasy genre? How do you know "The Golden Fool" falls in the genre of fantasy? Give examples.

2. Other than entertainment, why do you think people might read fantasy?

3. Fantasy is sometimes considered second-rate fiction--i.e., that it is not good enough to be studied in academe. Why do you think this is true? Do you think it is a valid argument?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Characters are an important part of what makes "The Golden Fool" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Fitz. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of the Narcheska. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Dutiful. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,188 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample