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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 Peder say about the prince and Miri?

2. What is Doter good at doing?

3. What is quarry-speech?

4. Where is Enrik's home?

5. With whom does Miri decide to try out her quarry-speech?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Bena and Liana think of the village boys and of what do they accuse Miri?

2. What is linder and why has Miri not been allowed in the linder mines?

3. What startles Miri awake one morning and why is she unsettled?

4. What does Miri explain to Britta about spring holiday and what do they talk about concerning quarry speech?

5. What does the King's messenger announce?

6. What do Marda and Miri do and what does Miri tell Marda she wants to do?

7. Describe the girls' first day at the academy.

8. How does Miri get all the girls to leave for spring holiday and how does that change the girls' attitude towards Miri?

9. What happens to Marda and how does this lead to Miri learning about why she is not allowed in the mines?

10. How does Miri use Diplomacy when they return to the academy and what is Olana's response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Shannnon Hale.

2. What in Hale's background may have helped him in writing "Princess Academy"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Princess Academy".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Princess Academy". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Princess Academy". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Princess Academy" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,056 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample