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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. Who is Birgitte?

2. Who realizes Rand's identity?

3. How does Beslan shock Mat?

4. About what does Lan tell Matt concerning Moghedien?

5. What happens when Nynaeve is on a boat headed to meet with Sea Folk?

Short Essay Questions

1. Whom does Mat find in his room and whom does he realize the person is?

2. Describe the first encounter between Mat and Tylin when Mat moves to the Palace.

3. How does Elayne get drunk?

4. What does Perrin decide to do after his argument with Rand?

5. What does Beslan say to Mat about Beslan's mother, Tylin, and how does Mat feel about what Beslan says?

6. What does Elayne tell the women in the Circle that causes much emotion?

7. What is one way Tylin forces Mat to accede to her will?

8. What does Birgitte say to Mat when he asks how she got there?

9. Who attacks Mat in Chapter 21, and why does he think they expected something?

10. How do the women in the Circle respond to Elayne's arrival with some other Aes Sedai?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 magic/channeling source in "A Crown of Swords". Who possesses the ability to channel source as an inherent aspect of their nature? How does the inequality between those who can channel and those who can impact the plot of "A Crown of Swords"?

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?

3. Would you desire to possess the ability to use magic if there were such a talent in our world? Why? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of possessing such an ability?

Essay Topic 2

Traveling in the Wheel of Time series evolves, a phenomenon that also helps the book's pacing. First, Rand and the others travel by foot and horse; then the "Ways" are introduced, which significantly cuts down on the time it takes to get from one point to another. In "A Crown of Swords", Rand uses a portal stone for travel across vast distances; however, one must first walk to a portal stone, so the travel cannot be said to be instantaneous. Finally, in a later book, a technique called "Traveling" is introduced where a doorway is magically "sliced" into the air and one can instantly be where s/he wants to go. Discuss the following:

1. What is the advantage of having the characters travel by horse and foot across long distances requiring significant amounts of time? What are the disadvantages?

2. How is the plot affected when the ability to travel from point A to point B is drastically reduced? Give examples from the book.

3. How would one or two scenes in "A Crown of Swords" be affected if Rand or any other channeling individual could not instantly move from one place to another?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of power throughout "A Crown of Swords". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with power? Why? What are some symbols of power? Symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of magic throughout "A Crown of Swords". What characters are most concerned with magic? Why? What are some symbols of magic? How does the ability to channel give an automatic advantage to someone over another who cannot channel? Is there abuse of this ability?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of evil throughout "A Crown of Swords". What characters are what you would call evil? Why? What are some symbols of evil? Symbols of good? Are more characters evil than good or vice versa? Do you think in general, there is less evil than good in the book?

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