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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 kind of agreement do Civil and Laudwine have?

2. What does Tom see in a mirror?

3. Why does Tom restore his scars?

4. What does Tom forbid Chade doing?

5. What happens to Civil's mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Starling tell Tom about her marriage and what is his response?

2. How does Tom find out about Thick's spying and what does Civil teach Dutiful?

3. What is Golden, why does Kebal hate him and what does Golden say Kebal will do if she comes to power?

4. Where has Civil been, and why does Tom not trust Civil?

5. How does Tom find out about Civil and the Piebalds and what does he hear about them? What does Tom do about it?

6. Where is Tom when he wakes up from being stabbed and who comes to get him?

7. What does Tom tell Chade about Golden and what is Chade's response?

8. How does Tom heal from his stab wound?

9. What happens during Tom's confrontation with Laudwine, when does he see Henja and what happens to Tom right after he sees Henja?

10. Who will go with Dutiful on his quest, who is teaching Dutiful, Civil and Swift about the Old Blood and what is Swift now?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 Golden Fool" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "The Golden Fool" 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?

Essay Topic 2

Whenever reading a science fiction or fantasy novel, one must become familiar with new terminology that explains concepts or ideas that are not a part of the "real" world. In the case of "The Golden Fool", much of the setting may seem familiar to the reader (i.e. it is in the "real" world), though there are new ideas and terms to learn. Discuss the following:

1. Find five terms that are a part of the world of "The Golden Fool" that occur in the "real" world but are used differently in "The Golden Fool".

2. Define the words as used in "The Golden Fool's" world and compare those five words as to how they are currently used in the American English language.

3. There are ways of learning about a new world or time when reading a science fiction or fantasy novel. Discuss the ways you were able to understand the world of "The Golden Fool". Did you have to look up any words? What does it mean to learn a word through its context? Do you have to do that in The Golden Fool? What word(s)?

4. Were there any words you never really understood from "The Golden Fool"? Which ones?

Essay Topic 3

One of the common elements of fantasy is the presence of some sort of magic. Discuss the following:

1. What sort of cultural problems do you think the United States would have if it were suddenly discovered that 1% of its population possessed magical abilities similar to the Wit or the Skill?

2. If you had a choice between having the Wit or the Skill, which would you chose? Why?

3. Would you want to part of the 1% of the population that possesses magical abilities? Why or why not?

4. Do you think most people would use their magical abilities for good or evil? Explain.

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