View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. ____ is the sword of Arthur.

2. Gundleus, having paid the bride-price, accepts ____.

3. ____ is the place that Cadwy is from.

4. Lancelot is insulted that Arthur has sent a mere ____ to defend Ynys Trebes.

5. Ban introduces Derfel to Fr. ____.

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the High Council's attitude toward what is going on with Arthur and Mordred as they hold their meeting.

2. What gift does Ceinwyn give to Derfel, why does she give it, and why does it have significance to Derfel?

3. Explain why Arthur does not fight Owain with Excalibur and how Arthur has an advantage in the fight anyway.

4. Why does Arthur ask Derfel to check on Guinevere?

5. Explain how Arthur winds up killing Owain.

6. Explain the evil acts that Gundelus does involving Norwenna and Nimue.

7. Describe the opening of the novel.

8. Explain how Arthur treats Gundleus and your opinions of it.

9. Describe the baby that is born at the start of the novel.

10. Describe the character of Derfel and his role as the novel opens..

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Love versus honor is a key theme in the novel. For example, Arthur promised to marry Ceinwyn and then did a dishonorable thing by eloping with Guinevere, but he did so because he was following his heart.

Part 1: Do you feel that Arthur was right to marry Guinevere? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think that Derfel agreed with Arthur's decision to marry Guinevere when most people viewed it as dishonorable?

Part 3: Is there another way in which Arthur could have married Guinevere and still kept peace with Gorfyddyd? What could he have tried, rather than eloping?

Essay Topic 2

War is a huge part of the book. Answer the following questions about war in general.

1. What are two reasons that you think the war in the book took place?

2. What are two reasons that wars are started in modern times?

3. Are the reasons for war in Arthur's time still used to start wars today? Why or why not?

4. Do you feel that wars ever actually accomplish anything? In other words, are some wars justifiable, or do all of them just lead to more trouble?

Essay Topic 3

Nimue is a major character in the story. Answer the following questions about her.

1. What is Nimue's relationship to Derfel?

2. What is Nimue's relationship to Merlin?

3. What are the first two of three wounds/problems that Nimue encounters that she thinks will make her more powerful and when does she acquire them.

4. Do you feel that Nimue is insane at any points in the story? If not, why not? If so, at what point or points? Use examples from the book to back up your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 960 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample