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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 Mistress Anan tell Mat?

2. What do the two girls do who come to say why they follow Egwene?

3. What enables Egwene to keep control of Marigan?

4. What does Mat do to his attackers?

5. Who wishes to speak to Mat while he is at the palace?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are meeting at Carridin's home?

2. Why did Faile align herself with Colavaere?

3. What are Falion and Ispan doing in Chapter 17?

4. What does Egwene do that night in her dream state?

5. What is Queen Morgase portrayed as doing in the Prologue?

6. What does Sammael order and how does Carridin counter the order after Sammael is gone?

7. What happens when Rand confronts Colavaere?

8. What does Perrin hear Rand doing after the battle and what is Perrin's response?

9. What message does Mat write to Elayne and Nynaeve and what does he notice about the ring with which he seals the message?

10. Describe Sevanna's interaction with "Caddar."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"A Crown of Swords" belongs to the literary genre of fantasy fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly define the term genre and offer examples of it from your own reading experience. Why do you think it is useful to categorize fiction into genres? What could be a disadvantage of doing so?

2. What do you think is the main motivation for a person to read a fantasy novel? Is entertainment a suitable reason? Are there any other reasons to read this genre? What? Explain fully.

3. In academe, fantasy novels are often thought of as less literary than some other genres and for that reason are sometimes snubbed in the study of literature. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with this snobbery?

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 "A Crown of Swords", much of the setting may seem familiar to the reader (i.e. there are woods, mountains, rivers, oceans, etc.), though there are new ideas and terms to learn. Discuss the following:

1. Find five terms that are a part of the world of "A Crown of Swords" that occur in the "real" world but are used differently in "A Crown of Swords".

2. Define the words as used in the world of "A Crown of Swords" 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 "A Crown of Swords". 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 "A Crown of Swords"? What word(s)?

4. Were there any words you never really understood from "A Crown of Swords"? Which ones?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation that the Seanchan who leash and control the damane (women who can channel) can actually channel also. What other irony can you find in "A Crown of Swords"? Do you think irony enhances the book? Why?

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from "A Crown of Swords". What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in "A Crown of Swords" and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why? Some possible devices: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

(see the answer keys)

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