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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. The men are wearing heavy __________ helmets as they are marching to meet their enemy.

2. Before the armies match to Hot Gates, where do they have to pass in their march?

3. What does the place where the ephors live emit from the rocks?

4. What does the boy return to Sparta wrapped in so as to show his victory?

5. What is the color of the cloaks of the men in the army marching at the beginning of this novel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Leonidas believe he brought more soldiers than anyone, even though Daxos' group is larger?

2. What does the Persian envoy tell Leonidas to send to the Persian king as a sign of subjugation?

3. Why does Dilios tell stories to the soldiers as they are preparing for battle?

4. Describe the oracle that Leonidas next confers with after talking with the ephors.

5. What do the Greeks exult over when they reach the Hot Gates during the violent storm?

6. What is one of the reasons why Leonidas refuses to send the sign of subjugation to the Persian king?

7. What does Leonidas think about the ephors and their ruling about whether the Spartans can fight?

8. Where are the soldiers in the beginning of this novel marching to and from as they head into battle, it seems?

9. What happens to Stelios as he marches in the weather at the beginning of the novel?

10. What does King Leonidas order Stelios to do with the captain that has been beaten senselessly?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In some respects, it seems like Leonidas (at the start of the story) is more of a follower than a leader.

Part 1: Why doesn't Leonidas make up his own mind when it comes to the Persian envoy's demands of him?

Part 2: What might have happened if Leonidas has simply agreed to the demands of the Persian envoy?

Part 3: Do you think the Persian envoy was trying to manipulate Leonidas? Why or why not? If so, how?

Essay Topic 2

The bravery of the Spartans is seen from the very beginning of the battle with the Persians.

Part 1: How do you think the bronze armor helped the bravery of the Spartans?

Part 2: Do you think that all of Leonidas' army is as brave as he thinks they are? Why or why not?

Part 3: What might make a soldier true to his army? What makes a soldier brave enough to fight?

Essay Topic 3

The observance of a religious festival seems to be something Sparta is told to respect again and again, even on the battlefield.

Part 1: Why is the observance of Carneia so important?

Part 2: Why doesn't Leonidas want to follow the religious observance as dictated by the ephors and the oracle?

Part 3: Why might Leonidas be so determined to fight regardless of the religious observance?

(see the answer keys)

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