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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 Covenant say is suicide for a leper?

2. What is the source of Covenant's magic?

3. How does Troy react to the woman's news?

4. Who is leading Lord Foul's army?

5. Who does Lord Hyrim want to aid?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Covenant and Lord Mhoram discuss?

2. Where is Covenant when Chapter 3 opens and what does he learn?

3. How is Covenant viewed in the Land?

4. What does Runick relate when he arrives to where the army is encamped?

5. What do Elena and Covenant say to Troy separately as they discuss Troy's army?

6. What does Lord Hyrim explain to Covenant when Hyrim wakes Covenant?

7. What type of phone calls is Covenant receiving and what happens to the stables?

8. How does Covenant explain his feelings about the Land to Troy?

9. What does High Lord Elena assign?

10. What happens in Elena's room while she and Covenant are waiting for a dream interpreter?

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 Illearth War and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Illearth War 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

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Illearth War. Questions that Donaldson most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Donaldson' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Donaldson' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Donaldson and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

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

2. Analyze and discuss The Illearth War based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Illearth War 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 Illearth War a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

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