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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. How many Outlander soldiers follow Harry into the Hills?

2. Who can overcome the feelings from Luthe's lands?

3. What happens after Jack and the others see a blinding light?

4. What does Harry do that surprises everyone?

5. What does the crowd do after Harry wins?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Harry do the first night in Luthe's hall, what does she want to know and what does he ask her?

2. Where are Harry, Senay, and Terim going at the beginning of Chapter 13, why are they going there and what is Harry carrying?

3. How does Harry feel when she realizes she has lost her sash and how does Jack receive the group?

4. What do Harry's group and the men with Jack do after they eat breakfast and what does Jack think about where they are going and what is Senay's response to his concern?

5. What does Corlath tell Harry about the cottage and his mother?

6. What does Corlath explain about his plans for the army, what does Harry ask about, what is Corlath's response and how does Harry feel about his response?

7. What does Harry do after her argument with Corlath over the Outlanders?

8. What does Jack tell Harry about where they should go, what does Harry see when she is sleeping and what does she see in the fire when she wakes up?

9. What does Harry ask Jack and how does Jack feel about her and her request?

10. What do Jack and Harry see when they look though the gap after a unnatural North wind begins to blow and what do they do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think "The Blue Sword" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

"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 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "The Blue Sword" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "The Blue Sword" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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