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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 Jack learn about Harry when they spoke at a dinner party?

2. What did Corlath's father say kelar often was?

3. What does Harry think about when in the heat of the desert?

4. How did the Homelanders obtain Istan?

5. What does Harry realize as she listens to stories of the Hill folk?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of news does Sir Charles announce at breakfast?

2. What are Jack's hopes about Corlath?

3. Where is Harry sent to live, why does she go there, who is she going to live with and what is her new home like?

4. What does Corlath ask from the Homelanders, and what is their response?

5. What do the girls do when they are back in the Residency and what does Jack say about how Corlath was feeling?

6. Who does Amelia tell Harry to bring to lunch and what does Harry think of her new home?

7. What does Jack discover about Harry during a dinner conversation?

8. What does Corlath think his kelar is showing him and why does he think he is wrong?

9. Why do the girls decide to return to Harry's home and what do they find there? What is strange about it to them?

10. What does Mathin tell Harry about Forloy, and what does Harry realize about her knowledge of Hill culture?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"The Blue Sword" belongs to the fantasy genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fantasy genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre, and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a fantasy and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "The Blue Sword" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and then judge if "The Blue Sword" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "The Blue Sword" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Corlath and Sir Charles. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Harry and Amelia. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "The Blue Sword" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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