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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. What does Joaquim tell Birle will happen eventually in the city because of Corbel's marriage?

2. What saves Birle from Corbel's fate?

3. Why is the Earl (Orien's grandfather) initially impatient with Birle?

4. What were Nan and Da planning to do with Birle before her wedding to Muir?

5. What does Joaquim teach Yul how to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Birle decide at the end of Chapter 19?

2. Why does Birle reveal to Joaquim that she can read?

3. What is decided upon in Chapter 20 of how they will be set free?

4. How is Birle's life now in Chapter 15, living with Joaquim?

5. What does Birle come to understand about Gladaegal?

6. What changes occur in Orien and Birle's relationship in Chapter 21 after Birle and Orien have escaped slavery and Orien is now healed?

7. What sort of reputation has Birle earned in Chapter 17 amongst the people of the city while being a slave?

8. Describe Nan and Birle's meeting.

9. Describe Damall's character and who he is.

10. Describe Birle's work as a slave for Joaquim and what drives her to work so hard.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The entire novel is told from Birle's point of view. Authors use a certain point of view to achieve a certain mood for the story. What do you think Voigt is trying to achieve in allowing us only Birle's thoughts and views? Why not see Orien's? How might the story have been different if we were to glimpse at what Orien thought. Would our thinking of the events of the book possibly change?

Essay Topic 2

Family is an important theme, especially in the beginning of the novel. Both Birle and Orien share stories of their families with one another. What is the importance of family to each character and how has family led them to their journey? How does the idea of a family tie-in to the end of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

The setting is extremely important to the novel. Although Birle and Orien are from the Kingdom, they end up many places outside of it. Discuss the importance of setting. What does it accomplish? What is the setting of the novel and what are a few examples of the places Birle and Orien travel to. What is their importance?

(see the answer keys)

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