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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. _______________ barricade the gates in order to protect themselves from the approach of the barbarians.

2. The soldiers use a _________ to search the empty huts that belong to the fishermen who are living nearby.

3. The magistrate wanted to point out that it was worse to damage one's _____________ than to go ahead and to kill them.

4. The girl that the magistrate loved became less and less of a ___________ when she was being tortured by the army.

5. ______________ who pass by every now and then move them as if the soldiers move the items as though the soldiers moved.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the magistrate advise the people of the town to do in order to make it through the winter?

2. How do the barbarians inspire fear which eventually turns into paranoia?

3. What is the sight that inspires fear and panic in the town as the magistrate describes in the story?

4. What does the magistrate learn when he finally gets through the gate in order to leave?

5. What is the magistrate feeling regret about as he is settling into a new life of survival?

6. What are some of the hobbies that the magistrate goes back to after visiting and sleeping with Mai?

7. What does the magistrate learn about his status when he says he cannot be in power because he is awaiting trial?

8. What happens to the magistrate as a result of not having any activities to do during his captivity?

9. What happens with the fire that is being set along the riverbanks?

10. Why doesn't anyone want to gather wood in the area where the magistrate is now in control?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The journey to take the girl back to her people seems to create a lot of conflict and doubt within the group.

Part 1: Do you think the journey was necessary for the story to progress? Why or why not?

Part 2: How do you think the magistrate changes during the course of this trip?

Part 3: Do you think that the magistrate needed to go on this journey with the others? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

During their trip back to the girl's family, the magistrate and the girl begin to grow closer and she becomes more appealing.

Part 1: Why do you think that difficult journeys often result in people growing closer together?

Part 2: Why do you think that the child begins to be more attractive as the journey continues?

Part 3: Do you think that the magistrate really is attracted to the girl? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The magistrate decides to bring the girl back to her family as he's fed up with her and with her relationship.

Part 1: Why do you think the magistrate thought it was best to bring the girl back to her family?

Part 2: Do you think that it was a good idea for the magistrate to bring the girl back to her family? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you think the magistrate's life would have been different had he not tried to bring the girl back to her family?

(see the answer keys)

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